The Strength of Rural Places: Highlights from the 2026 Investing in Rural America Conference

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 and its Center for Rural Economies, 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.

Exploring Economic Mobility and Opportunity

Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin opened the conference with welcoming remarks and introduced a video message from North Carolina Governor Joshua Stein.

The opening day featured a keynote address from Raj Chetty of Harvard University and Opportunity Insights. His remarks examined economic mobility in rural America and underscored how targeted investment, local talent, and strong social connections can help create greater opportunity.

Attendees also heard a conversation about community investment and sustaining growth in small towns, as well as remarks from Federal Reserve Governor Lisa D. Cook and Nadia Villagran of Rural LISC.

Focusing on Regional Trends and Local Economies

The second day of the conference continued with perspectives from Federal Reserve Bank Presidents Susan Collins of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Jeff Schmid of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, and Tom Barkin of the Richmond Fed. Their discussion addressed regional trends, workforce dynamics, and the economic challenges and opportunities facing rural places (watch the session).

President Schmid offered a memorable comparison, likening the current economy to a seven-layer dip. With relatively high inflation driven in part by AI and data centers, he suggested there may be "too much beans" in the dip. President Barkin responded, "And not enough chips!"

The day also included remarks from Anna Kovner, executive vice president and director of research for the Richmond Fed, and Surabhi Dabir, vice president of Rural and Tribal Communities for Enterprise Community Partners.

Two plenary sessions explored the role of financial institutions in rural communities and vital role small businesses play in supporting local economies (watch the session). Discussions addressed financing gaps, financial inclusion, the importance of local decision-making, and the people, businesses, and partnerships that help rural communities thrive.

Afternoon breakout sessions gave attendees an opportunity to examine issues affecting rural communities and share practical ideas and solutions.

Building the Future of Rural Leadership

The final day centered on transformative change and the future of rural leadership, a fitting close to a conference built around the strength of rural communities.

The morning opened with remarks from Emily Corcoran of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and Lee Anne Adams of NeighborWorks America, who emphasized community-driven solutions and strong partnerships. The agenda also included remarks from Neal Robbins of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Plenary sessions explored how rural communities have rebuilt after adversity and how colleges and universities are preparing the next generation of leaders.

The closing plenary was a highlight for many attendees, featuring the stories and perspectives of young rural leaders who shared the moments they realized they were called to serve their communities. Moderated by Daniel Davis, group vice president for regional economics at the Richmond Fed, the panel featured:

• Kalista Pepper, network partnerships and organizational development manager at Appalachia Funders Network
• Luke Giddings, mayor of Bishopville, South Carolina, and project manager for the Rural Growth Initiative
• Alex White, former town councilman for Luray, Virginia and current Yale Law student

Their experiences highlighted the importance of local leadership, love for community, and creating pathways for the next generation to shape the future of rural America.

Strengthening Partnerships Across Rural America

Throughout the conference, one message came through clearly: rural prosperity depends on local solutions, strong partnerships, and creative approaches to deploying capital. The conversations demonstrated the importance of bringing together residents, financial institutions, government agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations to address local priorities.

The Richmond Fed is grateful to the partners who helped make the 2026 Investing in Rural America Conference possible, including our Federal Reserve System partners, program partner Rural LISC, and community partners Enterprise Community Partners, Housing Assistance Council, and NeighborWorks America.

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to the conference. The Richmond Fed looks forward to building on the ideas, relationships, and connections forged throughout these three days.

In Case You Missed It

You can watch two sessions online from the 2026 Investing in Rural America Conference:

And, stay tuned for an upcoming episode of Speaking of the Economy podcast featuring Raj Chetty, along with an Econ Focus article summarizing his remarks.