Arizona Rural Policy Forum heads to Clarkdale & Cottonwood
Reporters covering rural and tribal Arizona can gather sources and story ideas Aug. 7-9 at the largest conference of the year
Clarkdale, Ariz. (June 2024) —
The Arizona Rural Policy Forum — the most popular meetup of the year for rural and tribal leaders — is now sold out, but reporters looking to gather story ideas and sources can still sign up to attend at no cost.
More than 300 rural and tribal changemakers will converge on the 17th annual conference held by Local First Arizona, this year in Clarkdale and Cottonwood.
Media can receive credentials by emailing rebekah@localfirstaz.com with the name, cell phone and media outlet of each attendee by Wednesday, July 31. Call (602) 663-0045 with questions.
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.
The theme this year is “Reimagining Rural,” a nod to the podcast series by keynote speaker Tony Pipa of The Brookings Institution.
Connect with sources to interview on the innovative ways Arizona’s rural and tribal communities are reimagining:
Affordable housing
Water and environmental resources
Job creation and training in new and emerging industries
Supporting small businesses
Sustainable farming and ranching
Tourism and recreation
Main Street redevelopment
Partnering with nonprofits
Obtaining grant and loan funding
“Clarkdale welcomes rural and tribal leaders from around our great state to be inspired, informed and energized by the Arizona Rural Policy Forum in our scenic and historic community along the Verde River,” Clarkdale Mayor Robyn Prud'homme-Bauer said.
"We can’t wait to host attendees as they envision the future of our state’s rural towns and tribes right here in the heart of Arizona wine country," Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski said.
“Arizona’s rural communities and tribal nations are unique, vibrant places and cultures,” said Local First Arizona Director of Rural Development Jenna Rowell. “The Arizona Rural Policy Forum connects community leaders to support, resources and expertise they need to tackle challenges and build opportunities.”
When: Aug. 7-9, 2024
Where: Clark Memorial Clubhouse, 19 N. 9th Street, Clarkdale
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included
Lodging: Discounted hotel rates available here.
Keynote Speaker:
Tony Pipa is a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Pipa leads the Reimagining Rural Policy initiative, which seeks to modernize and transform U.S. policy to enable equitable and sustainable development across rural America. He also leads the Local Leadership on the Sustainable Development Goals initiative, which explores approaches cities and institutions are taking to solve local problems. As host of the podcast “Reimagine Rural,” Pipa visits rural towns across America where local people share how they are making positive change and public investment in rural people and places can lead to increased and equitable prosperity.
Pipa grew up in Pennsylvania coal country, attended Stanford University and earned degrees from Duke and Harvard universities.
Thank you to our major sponsors: The Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation, Freeport-McMoRan, Arizona Public Service, Vitalyst Health Foundation, Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Complete Health, the City of Cottonwood, The Burton Family Foundation and the Arizona Community Foundation.
About Local First Arizona
Local First Arizona is dedicated to unleashing economic opportunity for Arizonans. We are a nonprofit community and economic development organization that boasts the largest local business coalition in the U.S. We deploy our innovative programs across the state to empower entrepreneurs of all backgrounds to succeed and communities to thrive. We call on all Arizonans to be champions of our state. Because our state is our story. Join us at localfirstaz.com to help build Arizona's future.
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