Around the District: Unlocking the Potential of Idaho’s Rural Communities

I serve as a senior outreach manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and my team works to understand the economic experiences of low- and moderate-income communities, including rural communities, to help build a stronger economy for all Americans. I also facilitate multisector partnerships among community development stakeholders working to expand economic opportunity. Recently, I collaborated with various local organizations to co-host the fourth Idaho Rural Success Summit in Worley, Idaho.

As part of the Summit's planning committee, led by the Idaho Department of Commerce, we brought rural leaders throughout Idaho together - elected officials, government staff, non-profit organizations, and business executives - to share stories, learn from one another, and leverage resources to strengthen rural Idaho. The insights we learned along the way help ensure the Federal Reserve gets a complete picture of local economic conditions in real time. Combined with quantitative data, the real-time insights we gather help shape our understanding of how people, businesses, and communities experience the economy differently, which helps inform monetary policy.

How are rural communities unique?

Knowledge and resource sharing is challenging in rural areas due to geographic distances between these communities and partner organizations and needed resources, which are often based in larger cities. In addition, many rural leaders wear multiple hats to ensure a community thrives. Rural leaders are also often focused on a variety of issues, including workforce development, housing, infrastructure, economic development, small business, and downtown revitalization. To address some of these challenges, the summit connects community leaders to financial and technical resources, cross-sector partnerships, and helps build relationships.

While rural communities have their challenges, I heard many local leaders share how they amplify their strengths at the Summit. They are problem-finders and solvers, they roll up their sleeves, work hard, and make things happen. We heard from rural leaders about how their self-reliance, independence, and adaptability can help them during times of scarcity.

Many attendees described how a sense of camaraderie , access to nature and natural resources, and peacefulness draws new residents and helps retain current ones in their rural communities.

How can examples from Idaho serve other rural communities?

Summit participants shared many examples of creative solutions to pressing challenges in rural communities, some of which can serve as adaptable examples for other rural areas.

One strategy from the Summit focused on water and wastewater systems - important infrastructure that serves as a foundation for economic activity. In many rural areas, the ability to maintain these systems is a challenge. Faced with an aging and retiring workforce responsible for maintaining, operating, and developing these systems, the Idaho Rural Water Association developed a statewide rural water and wastewater apprenticeship program. The program has successfully trained new workers with the skills needed to operate the systems, which require specific skills and knowledge.

Another example highlighted solutions to isolation and mental health challenges, which can be a barrier to employment. One rural community started a "check on your neighbors" initiative and an awareness campaign to break down the stigma around seeking resources for mental health. This community recognized the value of engaging with partners across sectors as part of their local economic development strategy.

A final example was related to main street revitalization. Main streets in rural areas often serve as anchors for small businesses. A town experiencing disinvestment from their main street did something that was considered a risk - they eliminated parking and removed parking requirements. Over time, along with affordable beautification measures, such as paint, murals, and landscaping, their main street came back to life. This drew more businesses to use vacant retail spaces and the main street became more walkable and inviting, paving the way for even more local development.

Looking to the future

This was the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco's fourth year participating in the Idaho Rural Success Summit and the event has been growing each year. There was a lot of energy, inspiration, and momentum that came out of this summit, and we look forward to continuing to foster rural cross-sector collaboration in Idaho. Deepened connections, continued learning, and support of efforts to help rural Idaho prosper, will cultivate an economy that works for everyone in the state.

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