Bridging the Divide: A Tech-Based Economic Development Model for Rural America
The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is leading a national effort to advance rural tech economic development, ensuring rural communities are full participants in the country’s economy.
Grounded in rigorous research and deep partnerships with local leaders, our economic development model helps communities build thriving tech ecosystems from the ground up.
With artificial intelligence (AI) accelerating economic change, our nation faces a critical choice. We can repeat the mistakes of the past, where decisions left rural areas without the infrastructure, training, and support to adapt to technological shifts, thereby widening the opportunity gap.
Or, we can forge a new path—one that intentionally equips rural communities to not only participate in the AI revolution, but to help lead it.
Our new report makes the economic case for a new path:
A community-driven approach to building inclusive and innovative tech ecosystems from the ground up. By investing in the necessary modern infrastructure, tech talent development, and innovative startups, we can ensure transformative technologies like artificial intelligence expand opportunity rather than deepen divides.
Download the report to access CORI’s latest research on rural economic challenges and our framework for tech-based economic development.
Bridging the rural–urban divide is not just a rural issue—it is a national imperative. America’s long-term prosperity depends on tapping the full potential of all its people and places. The next decade will determine whether rural America is included in the innovation economy. The Center on Rural Innovation has the vision, the model, and the network to ensure that it is.