On Thursday, April 29, the Center for Rural Policy & Development (CRPD) and the Citizens League held the next in a series of candid conversations where we will start to bridge the divide between urban & rural Minnesota by exploring our shared challenges and how to design a future that works for our unique communities.
Our second INTERCONNECTED Conversation focused on workforce in urban & rural areas. What types of jobs can be found in rural and urban Minnesota? How did the pandemic impact job opportunities and the workforce? What role does state government play? Can rural and urban Minnesotans work together to boost our economy?
There has been a fundamental shift in economic development. Over the last 50 to 100 years, economic development strategies have focused on job creation. Now, the focus is on PEOPLE creation. This shift is not something policy has completely recognized yet. Watch this INTERCONNECTED Conversation below as we explore opportunities for both rural and urban audiences.
Panelists:
- Santo Cruz – Senior VP & General Counsel, CentraCare, St. Cloud
- Louis King – President & CEO, Summit Academy OIC, Minneapolis
- Jessica Miller – DEED Regional Workforce Strategy Consultant, SW MN
- Kelly Asche – CRPD Research Associate, New London
Minnesotans often use the phrase “rural-urban divide” when talking about the values and priorities that seem to differ across our state. But in reality, our challenges and opportunities are truly interconnected – though the solutions we design may look a bit different in Minneapolis compared to Mankato, or in Brainerd vs. Bloomington. This four-event series – hosted by the Center for Rural Policy and Development and the Citizens League – will bridge the divide between urban & rural Minnesota by exploring our shared challenges and how to design a future that works for our unique communities. Each event will begin with a look at CRPD’s latest research, followed by a panel discussion with speakers from urban and rural areas.