Gov. Hobbs, Rural and Tribal Leaders Come Together at Arizona Rural Policy Forum
Gov. Katie Hobbs addresses rural and tribal leaders at the 2024 Arizona Rural Policy Forum
(Photos by Local First Arizona)
Gov. Katie Hobbs and more than 300 rural and tribal leaders came together in Clarkdale at the 17th annual Arizona Rural Policy Forum organized by Local First Arizona.
As the state’s Rural Development Council, Local First connects government and community leaders, economic developers, business owners, nonprofits and other advocates dedicated to strengthening Arizona’s rural and tribal communities.
Hobbs highlighted unprecedented investments being made in infrastructure, clean energy, housing affordability, schools and small businesses to make our state stronger. She announced the launch of the Arizona Microbusiness Loan Program, which will provide loans up to $50,000 to businesses with five or fewer employees to foster economic development and job creation across the state.
Ciara Minjarez, Indigenous foodways program manager for Local First Arizona
She also noted the reactivation of the Greater Arizona Development Authority after 10 years of dormancy, which will deploy as much as $100 million in assistance to rural and tribal communities for infrastructure projects such as firehouses, community centers, libraries, municipal complexes and road improvements.
In addition, nearly $1 billion in federal rural broadband funding will ensure every Arizonan has access to high-speed internet, Hobbs said.
And families across rural and tribal communities are receiving help to purchase first-time homes through the Arizona Is Home Mortgage Assistance Program, the governor said.
Dreaming big for Arizona
The theme of the conference was “Reimagining Rural,” a nod to the podcast series by keynote speaker Tony Pipa of The Brookings Institution, who travels the U.S. interviewing rural and tribal leaders about economic successes in their communities.
Pipa said many are capitalizing on the unique history, natural beauty and quaintness of their communities.
"Cities are becoming seen as the homogenous ones now. Rural communities are the distinctive ones. We have the history, we have the connections, it's more artisanal in nature," he said.
For many conference attendees, it’s the one time of year they get to see each other
"And beauty is an enduring theme. It's not something I anticipated, but it comes up with almost everyone I talk to,” Pipa added. “I now believe beauty is a pillar of any good economic strategy."
Cooperation is also essential, Pipa said, citing a study that found two unquantifiable ingredients were at the heart of community and economic success: Leadership and civic collaboration.
"When I heard an economist say that, I almost jumped up and said, 'Hallelujah!'" he joked. "In the places where change is happening, people are finding ways to work together."
Involving the next generation
It's also important to engage with young people, Pipa said.
"Make sure your kids feel their hometown is always going to be there, welcoming them when they want to come back and raise their kids," he said. A town in Kansas regularly sends postcards to keep in touch with young people from the area who have moved away, he said.
Nicolle Turner, rural development coordinator for Local First Arizona
Giving the younger generation opportunities to feel like they're making a difference is essential, Pipa said.
He challenged rural and tribal leaders to make sure young people are involved in local decision-making. "How many young people are involved in your projects?" Pipa asked.
The bottom line, he said, is that rural and tribal communities have huge opportunities to thrive when they have "leadership that’s bold, collaboration that’s broad, and partnerships that move from extraction to sustainability."
Thank you to our Rural Policy Forum sponsors, including The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation, Arizona Public Service, Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Community Foundation, Arizona Complete Health, The Burton Family Foundation, the City of Cottonwood, Freeport-McMoRan, Gila Community College, OneAZ Credit Union, SRP and Vitalyst Health Foundation.
Learn more about Local First Arizona’s rural and tribal programs at localfirstaz.com/rural-development.
