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...]
Building a resilient rural economy
It took over three decades, but the “Heart of the Rockies” today shines as an example of how to create a strong, lasting economy. Salida, Colo. morphed its struggling business climate into a popular outdoor destination and diversified its economy in the process. As the Chaffee County seat created a vibrant tourism base, it expanded other industry sectors as well, and the … [Read more...]