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2022 Investing in Rural America Conference
March 30, 2022 @ 8:00 am – 3:30 pm EDT

Join Investing in Rural America, a one-day conference featuring discussions with national experts, local leaders, and Richmond Fed economists on topics related to strategies for investing in community-driven economic and workforce development initiatives. Hosted by the the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, the event will feature rural perspectives on key topics including workforce development, small businesses and entrepreneurship, rural development hubs, and demographic changes in rural America. The Investing in Rural America conference is free and open to all, but registration is required by March 23, 2022.
Presented in a flexible hybrid format, this year’s Investing in Rural America conference is a perfect opportunity to gather either virtually or in person with policymakers, community representatives, businesses, funders and foundations from across our region to make new connections, deepen knowledge, and share ideas.
For more detailed event information and to register for the event, see our registration site.
Speakers include
Kartik Athreya, Executive Vice President & Director of Research, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Tom Barkin, President & Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Shonterria Charleston, Director, Training And Technical Assistance, Housing Assistance Council
Kathy Glazer, President, Virginia Early Childhood Foundation
Thomas Hall, Executive Director, Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub and Incubator at UNC Pembroke
Jaime Laughter, County Manager, Transylvania County, North Carolina
Rebecca Tippett, Director of Carolina Demography, Carolina Population Center at UNC-Chapel Hill
Laura Ullrich, Regional Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
Kristen Westover, President, Mountain Empire Community College
Van Wilson, Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Experiences and Strategic Initiatives, Virginia Community College System
Visit the event registration page for speaker bios.
Agenda
Please note that a welcome reception will be held for those attending in person at the Grandover Conference Center on March 29 from 5:00–6:30 pm.
8:00–9:00 am ET
Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00–9:15 am ET
In person and virtual
Welcome
9:15–9:45 am ET
In person and virtual
Opening Remarks by Tom Barkin, President & Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
9:45–10:30 am ET
In person and virtual
Morning Plenary: The Changing Demographics of Rural America
10:30–10:45 am ET
Break
10:45–11:45 am ET
In person; recording available by April 4
Panel Discussion: Investing in Housing: Developing Strategies to House the Rural Workforce
10:45–11:45 am ET
In person and virtual
Panel Discussion: Investing in the Rural Workforce of the Future
11:45 am–12:45 pm ET
Lunch
1:00–2:00 pm ET
Afternoon Plenary: Building the Capacity of Rural Development Hubs and Intermediaries
2:00–2:15 pm ET
Break
2:15–3:15 pm ET
In person and virtual
Panel Discussion: Investing in Locally-Driven Economic Opportunity
2:15–3:15 pm ET
In person; recording available by April 4
Panel Discussion: Investing in Early Care and Education
3:15–3:30 pm ET
Closing Remarks
Presented by
Location
The Investing in Rural American conference is a hybrid event offered in person and virtually.