Rural Communities: Capitalizing on Opportunities

Special guest, Brandon Hofstedt, Ph.D., leads a presentation and discussion on rural communities' economic viability. Over the last 40 years, rural communities across the U.S. have experienced significant changes including population decline, loss of industrial jobs, and increasingly vacant downtowns. As a result, the dominant story is one of doom and gloom. While change is a fact of rural life, the dominant narrative of decline and loss obscures the complex reality of rural communities and disguises crucial development opportunities. By exploring ideas founded in community-based economic development literature and drawing on data from the Northwoods amenities and assets database, Brandon will discuss how such communities, like Manitowish Waters, can capitalize on opportunities that leverage their local assets while addressing and overcoming real challenges.

Open to ALL in the community - please RSVP by calling 877-543-2085 or register online. Complimentary wine, beer and appetizers. Sponsored by the Manitowish Waters Economic Development Association and the North Lakeland Discovery Center.