Illinois Institute For Rural Affairs Holding 32nd Annual Economic Development Conference Online
The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University will host its 32nd annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference in a virtual format Wednesday-Thursday, Feb. 24-25.
The conference is being held in conjunction with the Governor’s Rural Affairs Council and Rural Partners. Registration is $25 per person for the two-day conference.
This year’s schedule will offer approaches designed to address the current landscape of rural Illinois, while examining the depth of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Zoom-based event will open at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, with the opening session planned for 1 p.m., moderated by IIRA Director Chris Merrett.
During the opening session, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton will deliver “GRAC Agenda and Plans to Revitalize Rural IL.” Other presenters include 
Michael Powe, of the National Main Street Center, who will deliver ” The Mettle of Mom and Pops: Small Business Adaptation, Innovation and Resilience in the COVID-19 Crisis;” Emily J. Wornell, of Ball State University, who will deliver “Are we There Yet? Realities and Implications of Population Change in the Midwest,” and Laura Hemp Kessel, of Rural Partners, who will deliver an update for the organization.
For a complete list of event speakers, visit bit.ly/39KFo8M. Other speakers will discuss the ramifications throughout the state that are driving healthcare challenges and policy development, as well as highlighting the role that the Illinois Innovation Network will play in moving forward. Small business struggles and survival strategies will also be discussed, and other sessions include information on identifying rural funding resources, rural healthcare solutions and filling the void with cooperatives.
To register for this year’s event, visit bit.ly/3nXws54.
For more information about the conference, contact IIRA at (309) 298-2637.
