Rural Innovation, Connectivity Take Center Stage โขat Brookings Field Hearings
WASHINGTON – Recent field hearings in North Dakota and Minnesota hosted by the Brookingsโ Institutionโ underscored the critical role โof innovation, broadband connectivity, and local capacity building โฃin fostering economic prosperity for ruralโข america. โฃThe events, โขpart of the “America’s Ruralโข Future” initiative, brought together community leaders, policymakers, and residents to โdiscuss challenges and opportunities facing rural communities โฃacross the two states.
theseโข discussionsโข arrive at a โpivotal moment as rural areas grappleโ with demographic shifts, economic โคrestructuring, โand the ongoing need to bridge the digital divide. The Brookings Institution’s initiative โaims to identify actionable strategies for strengthening rural economies and improving quality of life, with โคa focus on leveraging local assets and fostering โcollaborative solutions. โThe findings from these hearingsโฃ will โinform futureโข policy recommendations and contribute toโฃ aโค broader understandingโค of the evolving needs โof rural America.
The Northโข Dakotaโฃ hearing, held inโ Fargo, highlighted theโค state’s leadership in agricultural โtechnology and value-added agriculture. Participants emphasized the importance โofโ investingโข in research โฃand growth, supporting entrepreneurship, and expanding access to capital for โฃrural businesses. Minnesota’s hearing,taking place โin Worthington,focused on the critical need for reliableโฃ broadbandโค infrastructure to support economic development,education,and healthcare access in rural communities. โ
“Connectivity is no longer a luxury, it’sโค a necessity,” โขstated โขa participant at the Minnesota hearing, echoing a sentiment โshared across both โฃevents.โ Discussions โalsoโฃ centered on โthe importance of building local capacity -โ strengthening the skills and resources of rural โresidents and organizations – to drive sustainable economic growth.
Senior Fellow Tony Pipa, pictured taking notes during the public hearing, โemphasized the importance โof listening to โand learning from โrural โcommunities. The “America’sโ rural Future” โinitiativeโ will continue to hostโ similarโ events in other states, โฃculminating in a thorough report outlining policy recommendations for revitalizing rural America.Theโข Brookings Institution is supported by โa diverseโ array of funders and maintains โits commitment to self-reliant research, ensuring all publications represent the sole views โคof their authors.
