Center for Rural Policy and Development

09/02/2026

Join Rural Voice on Monday, Sept. 21 in Grand Rapids for a community conversation on “Keeping Local Talent: Rural Grads Often Leave. Here’s How to Offer a Different Path.”

Hosted by MPR’s Kerri Miller, the discussion will explore ideas and solutions for strengthening the future of rural communities.

📍 Rapids Brewing, Grand Rapids
🕔 Doors open at 5 p.m. | Discussion 6–7:30 p.m. | Reception after
🎟️ Free to attend

The Center for Rural Policy and Development is proud to be a supporting partner of the Rural Voice series. CRPD's research helped inform the conversation around this important topic.

Learn more and register: https://ruralvoice.org/

07/24/2026

Missed our latest Interconnected webinar?

In partnership with the Citizens League, the Center for Rural Policy and Development hosted a conversation on mental health care access for Minnesota’s communities of color. The discussion explored the barriers communities face, what's working, and where we go from here.

If you couldn't join us live—or want to watch it again—you can view the full recording here:

https://www.ruralmn.org/interconnected-mental-health-care-access-for-minnesotas-communities-of-color/

Thank you to our panelists, our partners at the Citizens League, and everyone who joined the conversation.

https://youtu.be/X-NjjF3VN0E

05/12/2026

New on the Center for Rural Policy & Development blog: Why does rural Minnesota receive such a small share of philanthropic funding?

Read more about the rural philanthropy gap and what comes next for Greater Minnesota communities:

By Marnie Werner, Vice President, Research & Operations

05/11/2026

Rural Minnesota communities are finding new ways to grow and adapt thanks to strong local partnerships and philanthropy. CRPD President & CEO Julie Tesch featured in this Star Tribune column highlighting the impact foundations are making across Greater Minnesota.

Read the full story:

If only other Twin Cities givers would follow in the Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s footsteps.

05/05/2026

Greater Minnesota is growing—and it’s being shaped by new neighbors from around the world. 🌍

As highlighted in CRPD’s State of Rural 2026 report, in-migration is now driving growth and helping rural communities stay strong.

Read more from the Post Bulletin:

Flipping an old narrative, new "State of Rural" report highlights a trend reshaping Minnesota.

04/29/2026

CRPD President & CEO Julie Tesch spoke as the keynote at DEED’s Connecting One: Minnesota Broadband Summit—joining leaders from across the state to advance affordable, reliable high-speed internet for all Minnesotans.

04/27/2026

🎙️ New episode of the CRPD Center of Everywhere podcast!

What does it take for a community to say yes or no to a data center? This conversation explores why these decisions are more complex than they seem—and why they require real dialogue and honest information.

Listen:

What does it actually take for a community to say yes — or no — to a data center? Marnie Werner, VP of Research and Operations, sits down with Elise

04/09/2026

Congratulations to Marnie Werner (right) of the Center for Rural Policy and Development on being named a Mental Health Advocate of the Year by the Center for Rural Behavioral Health at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Marnie was recognized for her research advancing understanding of rural mental health.

Congratulations also to fellow Mental Health Advocate of the Year Meg Moynihan of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (left).