Investing in Infrastructure Virtual Exchange

Investing in Infrastructure: Rural Strategies for Building and Maintaining Healthy Local Economies

Monday, August 16, 2021
3:00 – 4:00 PM Eastern Time
Followed by Peer-Learning Breakout Sessions from 4:00 to 4:45 PM

Register for the Virtual Exchange

Water, roads, bridges, broadband, affordable housing – these pieces of physical infrastructure are all critical to fostering prosperous rural communities with a good quality of life. Physical infrastructure is an interconnected, intrinsic component of strong communities, yet the different aspects of rural infrastructure are often discussed in separate spaces. The sad reality is that many rural regions and Native nations across the US face crumbling or nonexistent infrastructure, caused by deferred maintenance as well as a lack of equitable investment, access to capital, or strong government relationships. Over time, the underinvestment in rural infrastructure has led to inequitable outcomes – and in the absence of quality infrastructure, some rural and tribal communities face challenges in accessing basic needs like clean drinking water and safe housing, which limits their ability to improve health outcomes or grow their economy.

Join us on August 16 at 3:00 PM ET for the next Rural Opportunity and Development Session to explore why new federal funding presents a momentous opportunity to invest in rural physical infrastructure—and hear strategies on how communities can effectively leverage this funding to build thriving rural places. How are water and wastewater systems, broadband, housing, roads and bridges interconnected, and how can these different components of physical infrastructure support sustainable and equitable community and economic development? What unique obstacles do Native nations face when building or rebuilding infrastructure because of historical disinvestment? Come to learn about the infrastructure challenges rural regions and Native nations are facing and discover promising strategies to pave the way forward.

About the ROAD Sessions

The ROAD Sessions highlight and unpack rural development ideas and strategies that are critical in response to COVID-19 and to long-term rebuilding and recovery. ROAD Sessions feature stories of on-the-ground practitioners who have experience, wisdom and savvy to share. The series reflects and emphasizes the full diversity of rural America, spotlights rural America’s assets and challenges, and lifts voices and lived experience from a wide range of rural communities and economies. Each Session includes an added opportunity for peer exchange. Overall, the ROAD Sessions aim to infuse practitioner stories and lessons into rural narratives, policymaking and practice across the country, and to strengthen the network of organizations serving rural communities and regions.