The Initiative will examine challenges and opportunities in rural economic development, infrastructure and quality of life, identify best practices, and recommend policies to support vibrant rural communities in the West.

WGA has incorporated feedback from over 115 stakeholder surveys to identify key western priorities organized around the three major pillars for the Initiative:

• Opportunity: Exploring policies and strategies to leverage the West’s strengths in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and tourism/outdoor recreation in a rapidly changing economy. 
• Connectivity: Developing policy solutions for the rural West’s infrastructure challenges, particularly the deployment of broadband, to expand opportunity for rural communities.
• Community: Identifying strategies to ensure rural areas have access to all of the elements of a strong community, including healthcare, affordable housing, quality education, and local leadership, among many others.  

Gov. Burgum will host the first workshop of the Initiative on Oct. 1 in Fargo, N.D.; New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham will host the second on Nov. 5 in Santa Fe. More details will be announced during a July 16 webinar, which will outline additional plans for workshops and webinars.

To support the Initiative, please contact WGA Director of Development, Sarah Olsen at 720.897.4540 or [email protected]. Get the latest news about the West and its governors by following the Western Governors' Association on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.