Investing in Rural America

Since joining the Richmond Fed in 2018, I have visited small towns all across our District, from the coasts to the mountains. Some of these communities are thriving—perhaps they’ve been able to capitalize on natural endowments, or they’ve partnered with neighboring towns, or they’ve found a creative source of funding. But other communities are struggling. They’ve lost employers, residents, or both; their infrastructure is in poor repair; or they’re isolated, geographically and digitally, from necessities like banking or health care. At the Richmond Fed, we’re committed to learning from the towns that are making it work so that we can help those that are facing challenges. That’s the goal of our third annual Investing in Rural America conference, which brings together community leaders and local and national experts in rural development. This year’s event takes place on March 30 in Greensboro, N.C., and features a virtual attendance option as well. The conference is one of the many ways—along with Rural America Week, our Community Conversations, and our ongoing research—that we learn about and share promising strategies for improving economic outcomes in smaller towns