The 2026 Investing in Rural America Conference brought together more than 600 rural community leaders, policymakers, researchers, and community partners from across the country for three days of conversation, collaboration, and learning. Hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, in partnership with the Federal Reserve System and Rural LISC, the conference centered on this year’s theme, the strength of rural places, and explored the people, partnerships, and locally driven approaches that can expand opportunity and strengthen rural communities.

Raj Chetty discusses his research on economic mobility and variations in how readily people can climb the income ladder, especially in rural communities. Chetty, an economics professor at Harvard University and director of Opportunity Insights, gave the keynote address at the Investing in Rural America Conference in September 2026.

Nearly 300 community leaders gathered in Roanoke, Va. for the 2025 Investing in Rural America Conference, to learn, connect and discuss strategies for solving issues affecting our small towns and rural communities – like child care access, the skills gap, and housing shortages.