Place-Based Strategies: Strengthening Rural Economies through Investment
June 25 @ 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm EDT
Investment is a critical part of any healthy, growing economy, but the geography of investment – specifically community and economic development investment – can be uneven. This session will foster a research-driven conversation on community development finance ecosystems that help address barriers to community investment in smaller towns and rural communities. The session will feature insights from the Richmond Fed’s Rural Investment Collaborative, as well as research on factors that support community investment.
Introductory speaker
Anna Kovner
Executive Vice President and Director of Research
Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
(moderator)
Panel 1: The landscape of place-based programs
Merissa Piazza
Lead Policy Analyst
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
Michou Kokodoko
Senior Policy Analyst, Community Development and Engagement
Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
Panel 2: Identifying and solving for rural funding gaps
Devon Winey
President
Mt. Auburn Associates
2026 Federal Reserve Community Development Research Seminar Series
Where people live can affect their financial well-being and job prospects. This is especially true for residents of lower-income neighborhoods. Join us for the 2026 Federal Reserve Community Development Research Seminar Series, Place-Based Strategies: Strengthening Local Economies.
In this year’s three seminars, experts will share their research on job market conditions, the impact of community-focused strategies, and how investments can help local economies thrive.
Join us to explore how research and effective strategies can create opportunities that benefit local communities as a whole.
Addtional events:
