Vinder CEO Sam Lillie (left) with local growers. Vinder is a community marketplace for people to list, discover, and buy local produce - connecting community members to local growers. Founded in July of 2016 in Port Townsend, Wash., a rural Victorian art and seaport community, Vinder was originally launched on foot and bicycle by the founder and CEO, Sam Lillie. He would … [Read more...]
Episode 22: Rural Career and Technical Education
Every Career and Technical Education (CTE) class at Lincoln County High School (LCHS) in Hamlin, West Virginia is a Simulated Workplace. The classes cover a wide variety of professions - teaching, computer science, publishing and law enforcement, to name just a few. They run as businesses, taking on real-world projects that serve their communities. Nestled … [Read more...]
Episode 21: Simulated Workplaces in Rural Schools
The new Simulated Workplace initiative in West Virginia’s public schools is making a positive impact on rural workforce development in that state. The West Virginia Department of Education worked with numerous businesses and industries throughout the area to design the program. This initiative helps schools implement a workplace environment in all Career and Technical Education … [Read more...]
Episode 20: Rural Workforce Development
A key part of a strong rural economy is a talented workforce. Achieving this takes a collaborative of business owners willing to invest in the next generation of employees and educators willing to work with employers to provide job experience to students. Rural businesses can take the initiative in preparing local youth for future employment, according Brent Parton, the … [Read more...]
Episode 19: Keys to Creating a Vibrant Small Town Main Street
Silver City MainStreet fosters economic development in Silver City, New Mexico’s historic downtown. The organization does this through collaboration and promotion of downtown events, improvements to and preservation of the historic district, and the development of new and creative uses for downtown buildings. The program is a 2011 recipient of the Great American Main Street … [Read more...]