The major goals of the Partnership for Rural Improvement (PRI) are to explore models for rural development and planning and to engage institutions of higher learning in progressively greater collaboration in delivering services to rural areas. Knowledge of rural planning in a PRI area exists at three scales: planner-educator-facilitators, local officials and staffs, and citizens. The planner-educators do not serve in a consulting role by doing the planning activities; they work with local officials so that knowledge is shared. The citizens are the critical aspect in achieving a socially viable plan, and planner-educators seek to engage them in group process in which perspectives may be shared, conflict resolved, and development goals realized. The task is one of planning with the community, not for it. Utilizing one PRI model, a rural county is being assisted in growth impact assessment and management. Basic strategy has included community contact, awareness and trust building efforts, development of educational and management materials, and formation of a task force of local staff and citizens. The theoretical evolution of the new role of the professional planner is traced along with practical applications in terms of skill training and curriculum recommendation. (Author/DS)