The 2025 Investing in Rural America Conference, held in Roanoke, Virginia, gathered nearly 300 community leaders to address pressing issues affecting rural communities. The event focused on strategies for solving challenges such as child care access, the skills gap, and housing shortages.
Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin opened the conference with remarks on growth opportunities in rural areas. He noted that progress often begins with intangible steps like building trust and shaping a collective vision before it is reflected in data. Donna Gambrell from Appalachian Community Capital delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the need for investment in rural areas. She highlighted “grit, grace, and gumption” as essential qualities for success in developing these communities.
The conference featured plenary panels and breakout sessions on topics including workforce realignment, resources for rural organizations, innovative solutions for pandemic learning loss, housing development strategies, and expanding child care access. On the second day, Carrie Cook from Richmond Fed joined Bill Greenleaf from Locus and other experts to discuss sustainable impact strategies for rural communities. They stressed the importance of collaboration and small wins to maintain momentum.
A special “Fed Listens” session allowed Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman and Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin to hear directly from rural stakeholders about economic disparities and workforce challenges due to limited affordable housing and transportation options.
The conference aimed to foster dialogue and share resources among community leaders dedicated to enhancing economic stability in rural America.
