Regional Competitiveness – Center for Rural Policy and Development

Find out more about this new 38-county economic development initiative!

Please click here to view the Regional Competitiveness pages.

RuralMN Radio

RuralMN Radio: Signing off, pt 2

We wrap up our conversation with Brad Finstad, state director for USDA Rural Development, about rural policy and its impact on rural communities and how the Center helps with the understanding of complicated issues.

RMR 03-20-2019 USDA Rural Economic Development Pt 2

RuralMN Radio: Signing off, pt 1

After more than 15 years, we’re closing down RuralMN Radio. Former president Brad Finstad joins Marnie and Jim to talk in his capacity as state director for USDA Rural Development about what’s going on around rural Minnesota, what the Center is doing, and the synergies between federal and state funding for rural areas. While RuralMN Radio is going away, be sure to check out our blog, and coming towards the end of this year, our new podcast!

A look back at rural Minnesota, pt 2

As we close in our final RuralMN Radio in two weeks, we take a look back at how things have changed in rural Minnesota over the last fifteen years, including the engagement of the rural voice.

A look back at rural Minnesota, pt 1

As we close in our final RuralMN Radio in two weeks, we take a look back at how things have changed in rural Minnesota over the last fifteen years, including the advent of broadband and the ups and downs of the economy.

RuralMN Radio: Letters to the new Governor

Our newest publication is “Letters to the New Governor,” a collection of essays by experts around the state writing on an overview of the issues in Greater Minnesota. Some of the authors include Tim Penny and Charlie Weaver on why the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota need each other, Gary Wertish and Kevin Paap on agriculture, Megan Dayton from the Minnesota Demographic Center on population projections, Fred Nolan from the Minnesota Rural Education Association on K-12 education, Gary Johnson and Brian Bissonette of Paul Bunyan Communications in Bemidji on their philosophy on broadband and more. While it’s called “Letters …