A New Beginning After being dismissed following 12 years at Kraft Foods, Paul Scharfman was at a crossroads. The Wisconsin resident considered next career steps that would fit his food industry sales experience. Having owned his own small business in his teens and early 20s, Scharfman decided to reenter the entrepreneurial world. In 1991, he piled up all he had and … [Read more...]
Rural millennial returns home to blaze career path and connect with others doing the same
Courtesy photo - Madeline Moore (left) and Rethinking Rural colleagues Denise Pranger and Malloree Weinheimer came together to help rural millennials throughout the U.S. connect. She was a go-getter growing up in her small town. A straight-A student, Madeline Moore was involved in her community and school programs. She enjoyed her rural lifestyle and the strength … [Read more...]
A rural startup is born
Before Sam Lillie founded a rural startup, he took a hike. It was a five-month, 2,653-mile hike to be exact, down the Pacific Crest trail that starts from the Canadian border in northern Washington to the Mexican border in Southern California. Fresh out of college with a business degree in hand, Lillie realized if he was going to do the hike, now was the … [Read more...]
Simulated workplaces giving hope to rural economies
Students in West Virginia testing local water as part of their Simulated Workplace curriculum. | Photo courtesy West Virginia Department of Education. When the students of Lincoln County High, in Hamlin, West Virginia, roll out of bed for school, nearly half are also getting ready to head to work. The school, serving 850 from the towns of Pleasant View, Griffithsville, … [Read more...]
Rural communities take aim at tourism
With tourism growing, many rural areas are working to capitalize on humanity’s wanderlust. Travel and tourism generates $7.6 trillion globally and $1.6 trillion for the U.S. economy, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Many small towns want a piece of the industry to bolster their economies. Visions include long-vacant buildings being repurposed into … [Read more...]