Bringing Back Rural America

Thousands of small towns in rural America are being depopulated, or hollowed out. The brightest and most ambitious young people in many communities abandon the heartland for greater challenges and rewards in cities. This is a major policy problem that has largely escaped media and political attention. What are the implications of this exodus? What trends of "smallness" can help counter it? What policies should Washington be pursuing to support small communities? Come join the New America Foundation's Workforce and Family program for a discussion of helping rural America.

Note: The live webcast for this event requires Flash Player 9 or better. No RSVP is necessary to view the webcast; please sign up only if you plan to attend in person.

See map: Google Maps

Participants

featured speakers
Patrick Carr
Assistant Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University New Brunswick
Co-author, Hollowing Out the Middle

Maria Kefalas
Associate Professor of Sociology at Saint Joseph's University
Co-author, Hollowing Out the Middle

Phil Longman
Senior Research Fellow, Economic Growth Program
Research Director, Next Social Contract Initiative
New America Foundation

moderator
David Gray
Director, Workforce and Family Program
New America Foundation