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…
group of people smiling

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…
daycare instructor helps young children at a table doing an art project.

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…
image of hands holding soil and a young plant and text

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…
text with icons of cell phone, money, and food

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…
Aerial image of a rural mobile home community next to farm fields.

NCRCRD Fellow Advances Affordable Housing Research with AI-powered Data Collection and New MHC Database

Posted on October 4th, 2025

As a result of his North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) Fellowship project, Armin Yeganeh, Assistant Professor of…
young couple holding their child and standing on a rural road

New Paper Shares Insights into Rural Midwest Millennials’ Staying Behavior

Posted on August 19th, 2025

While much of the research about rural migration of young people in the U.S. focuses on why this population leaves…
man fixing a bike in a bike shop

Trends for Rural Small Businesses in the North Central Region: Owner and Small Business Demographics

Posted on July 7th, 2025

By Renee D. Wiatt, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Small businesses are critical to their rural communities. Often…
male and female worker standing behind the counter of baked goods

Partners in Business, Partners in Life: A Snapshot of Couple Businesses in the North Central Region

Posted on July 1st, 2025

By DeAndre Malone, Jr., North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Introduction Starting a business is an exciting venture that…
Map shows North Central, Southern, and Northeast regions of U.S.

Groundbreaking Survey Conducted Across Three Major U.S. Regions Sheds Light on Household and Community Well-Being

Posted on April 3rd, 2025

As a result of an innovative data initiative led by the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD), three…
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NCRCRD Welcomes New Advisory Committee Members

Posted on January 30th, 2025

West Lafayette, Ind, January 31, 2025 – North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) is pleased to announce the…