The Rural Investment Collaborative™ seeks to improve economic investment in small towns and rural communities. We collaborate with rural hubs and funding sources to help communities develop project proposals and make access to funding easier.
Featured
News
March 11, 2024
From quaint storefronts offering a variety of gourmet peanuts to sprawling farms where generations have perfected their craft, this area has solidified its spot as an important part of Virginia’s agricultural economy thanks to its continued commitment to one of America’s favorite legumes. But as our Community Conversations team learned on a recent trip to Southeastern Virginia, the pull between maintaining a rural, small town feel and embracing the potential benefits of urbanization hangs in the balance.
Article
Feb. 21, 2024
Western North Carolina is known for stunning mountain views, the eclectic tourist hotspot Asheville, and the opulent former residency of the Vanderbilts, the Biltmore Estate. But, as our Community Conversations team learned as they traveled an hour west of Asheville to places like Jackson County and the Qualla Boundary, Western North Carolina is also home to a strong sense of community, resiliency and innovation.
Our annual conference brings together community development leaders, business leaders and educators to discuss potential solutions for helping rural communities thrive.
This series highlights programs and initiatives that rural Fifth District communities are using to address local challenges and improve economic outcomes.
These articles and podcasts examine a range of issues — including education, housing, health and broadband access — that affect economic outcomes in rural communities.
These posts examine local, regional and national data that matter to the Fifth District economy and our communities.
Each month, we ask Fifth District business owners about recent changes in economic conditions and their expectations.
Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) across the U.S. provide information on their business practices and the communities they serve (biennial).
We track economic data and trends in the Fifth District and publish our findings.
We visit with business and community leaders throughout our district to learn about a region’s well-being and to exchange economic updates and ideas.
We provide information and tools on benefits cliffs to help Fifth District policymakers and organizations improve workers' long-term financial outlook.
This program connects community organizations and small businesses with bankers, CDFIs and other funding entities.
These stories describe our ongoing engagement with communities throughout the Fifth District.
