Greater Minnesota is experiencing rapid change — and with it, new challenges and opportunities. We need practical hope — the kind rooted in data, local leadership and real solutions communities can act on today.

You can feel it in nearly every community. Across downtowns, Main Streets, schools, childcare centers and long-standing institutions, people are asking the question about what comes next.

Change isn’t new to Minnesota, but the pace feels different.

Throughout our work as a statewide community foundation, and with my work across the state of Minnesota, I spend most days in conversation with people from all over the state — farmers, teachers, nonprofit leaders, volunteers, business leaders and neighbors — who want their communities to thrive. Which is exactly what I wanted, and still want, for my rural hometown.

What I hear again and again is that Minnesotans aren’t afraid of change — we want to understand it, plan for it AND have the tools to respond to it in ways that strengthen our sense of place. That shared desire of clarity and connection is what made this virtual webinar so timely.

In this webinar, we shared space with the Center for Rural Policy & Development (CRPD) and explored the trends shaping Greater Minnesota, specifically in rural Minnesota. Attendees heard directly from the CRPD team about tangible data in many areas that need our help.