The Center for Rural Strategies is the host and coordinator for testing and development of the PlaceStories system in the US. The Rural Strategies PlaceStories Community is home to a range of pilot projects involving the environment, education, arts and community development sectors. 

Rural Strategies seeks to improve economic and social conditions for communities in rural America, and around the world through the creative and innovative use of media and communications.Through the presentation of accurate and compelling portraits of rural lives and cultures, Rural Strategies demonstrates the importance of rural communities, deepens public debate, and creates a national environment in which positive change for rural communities can occur. Rural Strategies helps communities and nonprofit organizations incorporate media and communications into their work in support of strategic goals.

Rural Strategies also designs and implements information campaigns that educate the public about the problems and opportunities that exist in contemporary rural communities. Rural Strategies is based in Whitesburg, KY, with additional offices in Lexington, KY and Knoxville, TN.