In an era of rapid technological advancements, environmental challenges, and shifting populations, rural communities stand at a critical crossroads. These regions and their communities face unique and emergent problems, grappling with physical, mental, and environmental issues. Reliance on agriculture, mining, and other resource-intensive industries add to the socioeconomic stressors, complicating access to education, connectivity, and other population and civic supports. As we look to the future, these intertwined challenges are poised to intensify, driven by the forces of climate change, aging populations, and continued shifts in the job market.
This visioning event invites participants to reimagine a vibrant future for rural America. At its core, the event seeks to create a set of actionable engineering research recommendations to address pressing issues faced by rural communities by envisioning a future where rural America leads in sustainability and innovation—in a word “resilient.”
We will explore transformative engineering and technology research ideas with the potential to lead to long-term solutions for electricity production and distribution, transportation infrastructure, and local food production. We will envision potential models of rural communities, such as cooperative ownership, eco-villages, and circular economies.
Through this collaborative process and using an engineering lens, we aim to create actionable strategies that respect the values of rural communities while embracing forward-thinking research directions that could lead to alternative solutions 25 to 50 years in the future. Join us as we chart paths forward, ensuring that rural America remains vital, resilient, and innovative for generations to come.
