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Equip and Empower Over Your Lunch Hour 

Program Description

Rural Development Initiatives is thrilled to offer a series of five online workshops to help you build on the economic vitality of your rural community, get connected to resources, and collaborate with other like-minded communities over your lunch hour.

Topics for these workshops were chosen by listening to the rural communities we’ve worked with for over 25 years. After conducting numerous surveys and taking the time to listen to communities’ needs, the topics below will be the focus of our series this fall.

• 3 Strategies for the Rural Housing Shortage
• 4 Creative Approaches to Organize for Economic Vitality
• 5 Innovative Ways to Grow Your Downtown Businesses
• 6 Innovative Ways to Access Capital in Your Rural Community
• 7 Ways to Retain and Grow Young Talent

Program Objectives

• Provide value to current and future community economic
  development activities
• Connect rural leaders to their peers in tackling rural economic challenges and opportunities
• Mobilize individuals across rural communities
• Connect rural communities to
  essential economic development tools, resources, and knowledge necessary to shepherd community-driven economic development initiatives
• Catalyze individuals to take action in achieving their economic visions