In response to rising carbon emissions and socioeconomic inequality, municipalities across the U.S. are adopting ambitious goals under the banner of a Green New Deal (GND). The GND has been an urban initiative, yet more areas are looking to regional partnerships to leverage funding and expand the scale of action and benefit. This study investigates urban and rural perspectives, values, and aspirations for GND policymaking in Tompkins County, NY. It ties together regionalism, urban – rural linkages, and collaborative planning to elaborate a basis for collective regional action towards the area’s GND goals. There are shared regional vulnerabilities, interests, and values in Tompkins County, yet place, class, ideological, and identity divisions create barriers. Collaborative planning processes that foster connections between communities can address them. Future work that builds on common themes among interviewees of economic development and addressing inequality, as well as suggested issue areas can serve as an initial base for participation. I include recommendations for what stakeholders can convene around, processes to do so, and the types of organizations to involve going forward.