Webinars

Upcoming Webinars:

"Success in a Small Town: Proven Marketing Strategies that Drive Rural Growth"

 Tuesday, February 17, 2026 
 12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT

Join Mike Espiritu, President and CEO, Roswell-Chaves County Economic Development Corporation, Bethany Quinn, President, Golden Shovel Agency, Justin Sommer, Economic Development Director, Preble County Economic Development Partnership for a panel discussion on driving rural growth.

Rural communities vary dramatically from place to place, but when it comes to economic development they often hear the same concerns: Not enough rooftops, not the right demographics and not enough amenities to attract a strong workforce. This webinar will equip rural communities with the tools to turn those perceived shortcomings into strengths. Using data from a Golden Shovel Agency survey of rural marketing efforts and insights from two successful rural economic development leaders, this webinar will help participants craft a community brand narrative that highlights your unique qualities and appeals to investors that are a strong match for what you offer. Participants will also:

• Learn how to implement modern tools like artificial intelligence to maximize their resources;
• Discover how to make your online presence a tool for attracting investment;
• Get clear direction from Preble County, Ohio, which recently completed a successful housing and workforce attraction effort; and
• Hear from Roswell, New Mexico about how to bring in businesses.

Register Here

"Rural Opportunity Zones 2.0 — Unlocking Private Capital for Community Transformation"

 Thursday, March 19, 2026 
 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT

Rural communities face unique challenges in attracting private investment, yet they possess distinctive assets that make them ideal candidates for the enhanced Opportunity Zone program. This webinar, presented by Michael O’Mara, Partner at Ascension OZ Advisors, explores how the permanent extension of Opportunity Zones under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act creates unprecedented opportunities for rural economic development. Drawing from the new legislative framework and emerging best practices, this webinar will demonstrate how the enhanced rural benefits, including a 30% basis step-up and reduced substantial improvement thresholds, can catalyze investment in communities that were historically overlooked in OZ 1.0. Participants will discover how strategic census tract selection creates a multiplier effect—attracting patient capital, supporting workforce housing development, and building community wealth that extends far beyond individual projects. From understanding the July 2026 designation timeline to positioning your community for Qualified Rural Opportunity Fund investment, this session provides practical tools for economic developers, CDFIs, and local leaders seeking to harness OZ 2.0's rural-focused incentives and connect underserved areas to the capital markets.

Register Here

"Revitalizing Rural America: Empowering Downtown Entrepreneurs Through Strategic Development"
Tuesday, August 26, 2025