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Michigan invests in rural capacity strategies
The Office of Rural Prosperity Director says the state’s Rural Readiness Network will help communities find ways to invest in placemaking and support workforce needs.
Sarah Lucus tells Brownfield changing demographics across rural areas have created a number of challenges.
“We’ve had a shrinking workforce in rural communities and we’re really feeling that in agriculture, and healthcare, and education, and in hospitality, and everything else,” she explains.
“It’s really driving a lot of the conversations that rural communities are having about what their needs are.”
Lucus says the network is modeled after the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Partners Network to support capacity-building efforts.
“What sets us apart as a community,” she says the network will help to address. “Is it agriculture? Is it food processing? Is it recreation access? Is it manufacturing? Really trying to understand what makes our community different and unique and special, and then leveraging those local assets to build quality places.”
Michigan’s Rural Readiness Program earlier this year also announced its first round of grants of up to $50,000 to support partnerships that address rural needs.
AUDIO: Sarah Lucus, Office of Rural Prosperity
Transportation in rural areas is a real concern. If you live miles from town a car is necessary. Auto insurances are too expensive.gas is too expensive,Lord help you if your car suffers mechanically…how do you get back and forth to work? There is no public transportation at all in rural areas. Transportation should be top of the list.