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Donna Maria and I get mean about rural solutions

By Becky McCray

Donna Maria is one of those people who just makes me happy. She’s a practical business owner, she’s a mentor to others, and she knows that it’s up to us to create our own future. Donna Maria says you should make a list of all the reasons why you can’t, then set that list aside […]

January 22, 2014

Ben Winchester Part 2

By Becky McCray

Ben Winchester has a positive view of rural for good reason: he’s done the research. The media loves to talk about the brain drain of young people leaving rural communities. Ben’s research says there’s another trend, maybe more powerful. Adults age 30-44 are returning to rural communities, bringing higher incomes, better education and more businesses. […]

January 15, 2014

Ben Winchester Part 1: Rewriting the Rural Narrative

By Becky McCray

Ben Winchester has a positive view of rural for good reason: he’s done the research. The media loves to talk about the brain drain of young people leaving rural communities. Ben’s research says there’s another trend, maybe more powerful. Adults age 30-44 are returning to rural communities, bringing higher incomes, better education and more businesses. […]

January 9, 2014

Joel Bennett Interview

By Becky McCray

Positive View of Rural podcast icon

Joel Bennett of Pella, Iowa, helped pioneer a co-working space in his town, called Veel Hoeden (“Many Hats”). It has grown from just 4 offices to 9 offices plus space for more people who just drop in with a laptop. It has supported existing entrepreneurs, and it’s helped create new entrepreneurial ventures. The connections formed in co-working […]

December 18, 2013

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