Center for Rural Economies 

The importance of human capital development in rural communities was one of the topics discussed during the 2026 Investing in Rural America Conference, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond in partnership with the Federal Reserve System and Rural LISC. In this episode, Sarah Gunn, the Richmond Fed's district outreach manager for workforce pathways, provides an overview of the topic. We also hear from three conference speakers: Alexander Ruder, assistant vice president on the Atlanta Fed's Community and Economic Development team; Julianne Dunn, director of workforce and financial prosperity at Rural LISC; and Melana Howe, corporate liaison and apprenticeship coordinator for Lake Region State College.

The ways that rural communities improve the flow of capital was one of the topics covered at the 2026 Investing in Rural America Conference, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond in partnership with the Federal Reserve System and Rural LISC. In this episode, Jason Smith, the Richmond Fed's senior community development advisor, discusses what the Bank has done to improve capital investment in rural areas. We also hear from three conference speakers: Robin Hacke, co-founder and senior fellow at the Center for Community Investment; Alex Flachsbart, founder and CEO of OPAL Community Capital; and Diane Standaert, senior vice president of policy and advocacy at HOPE Credit Union.

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.

The annual Investing in Rural America Conference brings together rural leaders, experts, and innovators to share insights, strategies, and success stories. This conference offers unparalleled networking opportunities and a chance to learn from those at the forefront of rural economic development.

The Rural Investment Collaborative™ seeks to improve economic investment in small towns and rural communities. We collaborate with rural hubs and funding sources to help communities develop project proposals and make access to funding easier.

Community Conversations are powerful, on-the-ground exchanges where Richmond Fed leadership engage directly with rural business owners and community leaders. These candid dialogues provide invaluable insights that shape our monetary policy decisions and research initiatives, ensuring our work remains relevant and responsive to rural America's needs.