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The Rural Futures Series: The Lay of the Land: Labor, Zoning, and Housing in Rural Communities
October 9 @ 11:30 am – October 10 @ 1:30 pm CDT
In 2022, at a conference in Grand Rapids, MI, the Chicago Fed helped create conversations on the challenges and opportunities rural economic development faces. Now, we’d like to start building on those conversations with a deeper discussion on how rural communities are attracting labor with the help of creative zoning practices and housing policies, as well as ways to mitigate the risks of economic development. Come learn about how communities are reimagining land use and collaborating with their neighbors on place-making initiatives that not only attract labor but also the employment opportunities that come with having a sufficient workforce in a region. The conference will also include a trip to Newton, IA, to see how Newton has executed some of these initiatives after the closing of their biggest employer, Maytag.
Over two days, you will learn about the following:
- Replicable strategies for attracting and retaining labor
Gain an understanding of how rural communities can attract and retain a skilled workforce through discussions on current labor trends, immigration, and strategies to make rural areas more appealing to skilled workers. - Mitigating risk in rural economic development
Discover techniques for managing risks in rural economic development for investors and communities alike. Sessions will explore the roles of public funding, partnerships, and regionalism in creating environments conducive to investment and community trust. - Creative housing solutions
Examine housing markets and the reasons for shortages in rural communities. Sessions will also explore creative approaches to addressing rural housing challenges through policy, partnerships, and community engagement. Learn how to encourage housing development that attracts skilled workers and supports community growth. - Historical perspective on zoning and land use
Understand the history and impact of zoning policies on community and economic prosperity, and then delve into how rural areas can rethink land use to promote sustainable growth and resilience. - Bus tour of Newton, Iowa
Participate in a hands-on learning opportunity with a visit to Newton, Iowa, where participants will see how community-driven initiatives are revitalizing the area and creating new opportunities.
Visit the event registration site for the latest agenda details.
Registration Deadline: October 8, 2024.