Reinventing Your Economy - Theme for 2004 Utah Rural Summit at SUU

Published: July 26, 2004 | Author: Kathleen McDowell | Read Time: 2 minutes

The Southern Utah University Center for Rural Life, along with the Utah Rural Development Council, and the Utah Department of Community and Economic Development, will host the 17th Annual Utah Rural Summit, August 11-13 Hunter Conference Center on campus.

Rural Utah economic development leaders and government officials participate in the conference to learn innovative ideas and skills for entrepreneurship within their communities. This year’s conference theme is, “Reinventing Your Economy,”

The Summit is also sponsored by USDA/Rural Development, Deseret CDC, Emery Telcom, Utah Power/Pacificorp, Utah Small Cities Inc., Questar Gas, USU Extension.

On Wednesday, August 11, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a Gubernatorial Forum with candidates Scott Matheson and Jon Huntsman who will speak on rural issues. The forum will be held in the Hunter Great Hall. The forum will be open to the public on a first-come first-serve basis; seating is limited.

The conference will officially open on Thursday, August 12, at 8 a.m. with a rural economic address from Senator Orrin Hatch.

Marcie McLaughlin, National Policy Director of the Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) in Washington D.C., is the conference’s keynote speaker. She will provide a report on the Harvard study on “Competitiveness in Rural Regions.”

Governor Olene Walker will speak in the Great Hall that morning as well. Mark Drabenstott, Director of the Center for Rural America Federal Reserve Bank will be the Summit’s keynote speaker in the afternoon.

Conference workshops will include Innovation & Entrepreneurship (by the Sirolli Institute), Technology for Tourism, Tools and Resources for Economic Development, The County Management Plan Tool Kit, Rural Corporate Recruiting, The Tourism Tax Debate, and The Retirement Economy.

Lt. Governor Gayle McKeachnie will conduct a Rural Action Agenda discussion on Friday, August 13. Also, Diane Hamilton will speak on “Overcoming the Culture of Criticism.”

The cost of the conference is $95. The conference is limited to size; those interested are urged to register quickly.

Participants may register on-line at www.utahreach.usu.edu/rosie/summit or call Kathleen at 435.586.7853.


Contact Information:

435-586-5400
Contact the Office of Marketing Communication

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