Center on Rural Innovation

The Center on Rural Innovation is no longer actively posting on this platform. To follow our most recent updates and support our work find us here: ruralinnovation.us

In 2023, our grant support team helped Rural Innovation Network communities secure 4.6 million in grant funds to develop tech-based ecosystems so that their rural communities can thrive. Read more: ruralinnovation.us/resources/repo…

For most participants, the Affordable Connectivity Program was the difference between having access to the opportunities that connectivity offers and being left behind. With the program's ending, vulnerable populations face consequences. ow.ly/cyJa50THbCa

September’s newsletter is packed with new research, exciting grant announcements, our annual impact report, plus an exclusive sneak peek at this year’s Small Towns Big Ideas pitch event participants. Make sure it ends up in your inbox: 7293452.hs-sites.com/-1726677023099

On November 13 the top rural tech startups from around the country will pitch their innovative idea to a panel of national investors at Dartmouth Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship. Join us in celebrating the innovation that’s possible in rural America. ruralinnovation.us/community-impa…

High broadband adoption rates and the presence of small broadband service providers improves economic outcomes in rural America. Rural counties with high broadband adoption rates see 213% higher business growth than counties with low usage. New research ow.ly/cNR950Tzwf3

We’re proud to announce our new research in partnership with @UOPX. The Generating Rural Opportunities in the Workforce report explores the barriers rural Americans face in their day-to-day lives and its impact on career development. Read more: ow.ly/L7cZ50TxbRl

In this month’s CORI Innovation Fund newsletter, you’ll find updates on CORI Fund II’s newest investment, an exciting update from one of our first investments, and a chance to support rural startups later this year. Get caught up now: 7293452.hs-sites.com/your-quarterly…?

The @US_EDA’s Build to Scale program offers a proven pathway for rural communities to cultivate innovation and drive local economic growth. We’ve worked with more than 30 rural communities to develop Build to Scale applications but wanted to dig deeper: ruralinnovation.us/blog/who-wins-…

Creating an accurate image of rural America is a challenging feat. Data can be unreliable, definitions aren’t standardized and populations are sparse. However, maps of rural data are helpful tools for creating actionable plans. ruralinnovation.us/blog/six-tips-…

Investing billions to improve broadband access for generations of Americans wasn’t our “mission accomplished” moment — it was just the start. Matt Dunne shares his thoughts on how internet service providers can make an impact with Broadband Communities: bbcmag.com/what-isps-can-…

🗓️ Mark your calendars! Registration for our fourth annual Small Towns, Big Ideas pitch event opens NEXT week. For the first time, you can hear from the top rural tech entrepreneurs both in person and virtually! Bookmark the landing page now: ruralinnovation.us/community-impa…

Venture capital funding can be pivotal in rural communities by catalyzing innovation, fostering job creation, and attracting talent. We explored the venture capital landscape in rural America with surprising results: ruralinnovation.us/blog/top-10-mi…

The summer newsletter is here! 📬 In this packed edition, you’ll find news from around the Rural Innovation network PLUS we want to hear from you! Fill out our survey and tell us how we can better connect with you. All that and more here: 7293452.hs-sites.com/cori-summer-20…

Community spaces that are inviting, easy to use, and inclusive are a crucial element for rural places on the path to thriving. Read more on the power of placemaking: ruralinnovation.us/blog/lighter-q…

From our work in dozens of rural communities across the U.S. — from Wasilla, Alaska, to Nacogdoches, Texas —we’ve identified three takeaways for successful tech-based economic development. ruralinnovation.us/blog/three-key…

Since 2021, we’ve given rural tech entrepreneurs a national spotlight in a virtual event. This year we’re bringing entrepreneurs and funders together in person. To prepare, we caught up with past participants to hear what they’ve been up to: ruralinnovation.us/blog/small-tow…

We’re looking for an experienced grant manager to join our team! If you have a demonstrated track record of successful grant proposals and love crafting craft clear, persuasive, and accurate reports, this role is for you.✍️ Apply now: apply.workable.com/center-on-rura…

Great things are happening in Arkansas. The city of Newport, Arkansas has built a tech ecosystem that is fostering growth and creating impact in their community. Read how they did it: arkansasonline.com/news/2024/jul/…

Rural America is rich with unique characteristics and passionate people. @CityofEmporiaKS is one example, offering a small-town feel at an easy-going pace, a gig-speed fiber broadband network, and abundant outdoor activities in four directions. ruralinnovation.us/community-impa…