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The Richmond Fed will host its second annual Rural America Week Oct. 4–6, featuring experts who will discuss the unique challenges and opportunities facing communities in rural areas of the Fifth District and beyond.

Interested individuals can register to participate in three days of content scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET each day. Participants also can interact live on social media during that timeframe with some of the Richmond Fed leaders of the programming.

The topics to be explored each day are:

• October 4: Investment Connection Live! – Rural America

During this live virtual presentation of the Richmond Fed's Investment Connection program, six community organizations will present rural-focused community and economic development projects that are potentially eligible for funding or financing under the Community Reinvestment Act. These projects aim to support people with low and moderate incomes in communities that are distressed or underserved. They will reflect lending, investment and service opportunities available throughout Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Along with individuals interested in learning more about these projects,  financial institutions and other funders are encouraged to attend and can pose questions to the presenting organizations.

• October 5: Spotlighting Successes in Rural Communities

Speakers and panelists will share insights about rural Fifth District communities that are using a multi-faceted approach to address economic challenges.

• October 6: Emerging Solutions to Pandemic Disruptions in Education

Speakers will provide updates on several issues explored in the Richmond Fed’s District Dialogues digital series and discuss how federal funds are being used and what learning looks like for 2021–2022 in the midst of an evolving pandemic.

“Rural America Week offers us the opportunity to focus in-depth on several topics that will showcase how rural communities are surviving, and in some cases thriving, due to economic development and social growth successes,” said Erika Bell, the Richmond Fed’s community development manager for North Carolina and South Carolina and co-leader of the Week.

Stephanie Norris, a Richmond Fed Regional and Community Analyst and Rural America Week co-lead, invites community advocates, policymakers, business leaders and others interested in learning more about the evolution of rural America to participate.

“With nearly 25 percent of Fifth District residents living in rural counties, the Richmond Fed is driven to explore economic challenges in rural communities and creative solutions that capitalize on their unique strengths,” Norris said. “We’re excited to have national experts participating in our Rural America Week panel discussions who can share information that will be relevant to rural communities everywhere.”

The Fifth District of the Richmond Fed encompasses Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and most of West Virginia.

Registration for Rural America Week is open through October 1.