Arizona’s 2022 Rural Policy Forum heads to Winslow
Local First Arizona will host the event August 3-5
PHOENIX (April 2022) — The 15th Annual Arizona Rural Policy Forum returns on August 3-5 in Winslow, Arizona. Presented by Local First Arizona, which is the state’s Rural Development Council, with the support of the Winslow Economic Development Department. The Rural Policy Forum is an opportunity for rural economic development professionals, nonprofits, community leaders and stakeholders, and business owners to discuss the unique challenges that rural communities face and the solutions that are working to overcome those challenges.
“While all communities are still feeling the impacts of the pandemic, little attention has been focused on the needs of rural communities. The Forum will bring those issues to the forefront for discussions on how to create transformative solutions,” said Kimber Lanning, CEO of Local First Arizona.
The goals of the Rural Policy Forum are to increase the community capacity of rural cities and towns, improve regional collaboration between shareholder organizations and entities, build relationships, grow rural advocates and develop strategies for building resilient communities. This year’s event will also feature pre-Forum activities that include an Economic Development Tour showcasing major economic drivers in the region, as well as the national organization, Better Block, which is a leading entity in rural placemaking.
“We are proud to welcome the Rural Policy Forum to Winslow,” said Una Wirkebau, Economic Development Director for the City of Winslow. We look forward to shining a light on Winslow, a wonderful example of a rural community that embraces its uniqueness and celebrates the benefits that it provides to our residents, businesses, organizations, and visitors.”
Each year, the Rural Policy Forum hosts over 60 expert speakers representing all 15 counties in Arizona. Past host locations include Globe, Round Valley, Safford, and Clarkdale. This year’s topics will include Crisis Preparedness, Behavioral Health, Entrepreneurship, Affordable Housing, and Rural Marketing Strategies, among many others.
Speakers will include US Representative Tom O’Halleran, USDA-Rural State Director Charlene Fernandez, and Jeff Sobotka from the Arizona Commerce Authority, who will provide an update on Rural Broadband investments.
Registration for the Rural Policy Forum will open on Monday, May 16 and is expected to sell out. For a schedule of events and tickets, please visit the Local First Arizona website.
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About Local First Arizona
Founded in 2003, Local First Arizona (LFA) is a community and economic development nonprofit working to strengthen local economies. LFA’s areas of focus include developing entrepreneurship, rural and urban community development, racial equity, environmental action, and food access. LFA is the largest local business coalition in the U.S. and advocates for independently-owned businesses of all sizes by assisting local owners with technical assistance designed to help them compete and collaborate, which ultimately strengthens Arizona's economy and builds hometown pride. Visit www.localfirstaz.com for more information and a directory of more than 3,000 locally-owned businesses.