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Missouri’s Neighborhood Leadership Academy

Posted on February 6th, 2026

Neighborhood Leadership Academy provides hands-on leadership training emphasizing community building principles, organizational leadership and management practices, and personal leadership skills….
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Leading Economic Transformation in Minnesota

Posted on February 6th, 2026

Traditional approaches often fail to address systemic challenges like workforce transitions, business retention, and inclusive growth. Professionals, officials, and volunteers…

Fostering economic growth in rural Michigan through strengthened entrepreneurial ecosystems

Posted on February 6th, 2026

Building strong entrepreneurial ecosystems is key to supporting economic growth in both rural and urban communities. Michigan State University Extension’s…
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Grant Writing at Kansas State University

Posted on February 6th, 2026

Since 2016, K-State Research and Extension has taught Grant Writing Basics in local communities. Local agents host the workshops, providing marketing,…
house building site

Iowa’s Rural Housing Readiness Assessment Program (RHRA)

Posted on February 6th, 2026

Across Iowa, small towns are reimagining housing possibilities. Whether the challenge involves aging homes, rising rents, or limited options for…
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Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces: Creating Healthy Communities

Posted on February 5th, 2026

Purdue Extension’s Enhancing the Value of Public Spaces: Creating Healthy Communities (EVPS: CHC) program helps communities develop high-quality action plans…
One of seven Independent Grocery Summits held throughout the state of Illinois in partnership with various state Senators and local Extension offices in 2024.

Illinois Grocer Initiative Conducts Statewide Survey

Posted on February 5th, 2026

Working in partnership with Western Illinois University (WIU) through the Illinois Grocer Initiative, the CED team in Unit 27 (Alexander,…
Image of an arm holding a brush painting an outdoor community mural.

Quick action and a $5K grant propels ISU Extension CED unit to new opportunities

Posted on February 2nd, 2026

In late-2023, Diane Van Wyngarden, State Tourism Specialist in the Community Economic Development (CED) unit of Iowa State University (ISU)…
An open sign that is painted on an old can sitting on a chair on the sidewalk.

What makes rural entrepreneurs stay? Social and economic characteristics of in-migrants and locals / Research Brief

Posted on January 21st, 2026

By Zuzana Bednarik, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development 1       Introduction Rural communities face ongoing challenges related to population…
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Two Purdue Agricultural Economics Seniors Complete Honors Theses Using NCRCRD Survey Data

Posted on December 18th, 2025

Two Purdue University seniors in Agricultural Economics are graduating with honors in December 2025 after completing their theses using the…
Home construction working shown standing in the roof frame of a house.

Rural Small Businesses in the North Central Region: Workforce Development

Posted on December 16th, 2025

By Renee D. Wiatt, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Workforce development challenges are reshaping rural businesses and the…
image of map of US divided into four regions. Text reads, Groundbreaking Household Survey Conducted Across Four U.S. Regions.

Groundbreaking Survey Conducted Across Four U.S. Regions Shed Light on Household and Community Well-Being

Posted on December 16th, 2025

As a result of an innovative data initiative, the Regional Rural Development Centers — the North Central Regional Center for Rural…
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New NCRCRD Rural Childcare Working Group Established

Posted on November 19th, 2025

The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) is pleased to announce the funding of a new North Central…
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Who Will Fill My Shoes? Succession Planning Workshop Series

Posted on October 27th, 2025

If you missed it in the spring or you are interested in refreshing your memory, we are pleased to announce…
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NCRCRD Awards Small Grants for 2025

Posted on October 6th, 2025

West Lafayette, Ind. – The North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) is pleased to announce the award recipients…