The Future of Rural: Addressing Conflict Dynamics Through Rural Economic Opportunity

may 19, 2021

The conflict context in the United States must include an analysis of rural communities, including the urban/rural divide and rural resident views on state and federal government investments (or lack thereof) in their communities. During this session, we heard from leaders of economic development and opportunity initiatives in rural communities as they discussed the challenges facing rural communities and described how support for entrepreneurs and workers in rural communities contributes to a more just and peaceful society.

Speakers:

• Joseph Bubman (Moderator), Executive Director, Urban Rural Action

• Sherri Powell, Founder & Executive Director, Rural America Chamber of Commerce

• Don Fraser, Jr, Chief Program Officer, Education Design Lab

• Whitney Kimball Coe, Director of National Programs, Center for Rural Strategies

• Molly Pyle, Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development Lead, Center on Rural Innovation

Resources:

• Rural Assembly, a program of the Center for Rural Strategies

• The Daily Yonder, news, commentary, and analysis published by the Center for Rural Strategies

• “Areas of Agreement” podcast series on the urban/rural divide

• Pew Research on Demographic and Economic Trends in Urban, Suburban and Rural Communities