Spotlight on CORI

3.25.2019 — LISC StoriesPartner in the Spotlight

The Center on Rural Innovation (CORI) is one of our newest partner organizations. Headquartered in Vermont, CORI is an action tank that recognizes the unique assets in rural areas around the country, assets that can create social and economic opportunities for America’s rural residents. Using progressive, data-driven community development strategies, CORI is building a network of rural “innovation hubs” that can spark the revival of small towns across America.

Recently, CORI conducted a nationwide search involving 130 applicants from 40 states, in order to select a core group to participate in its 2019 Rural Innovation Initiative, a project created through a cooperative agreement between CORI’s sister organization, Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. (RISI), and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

Nine communities were selected. As the vanguard of CORI’s initiative, this first cohort will receive technical assistance during the first part of 2019 in creating innovation hubs – economic development strategies for training local residents in skills needed for jobs in the new digital economy, with the aim of encouraging the launch of start-up companies that can revitalize local economies.

The nine communities selected are:

Codefi and the Marquette Tech District Foundation in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Emporia, Kansas
Grinnell, Iowa
Independence, Oregon
Go Forward Pine Bluff in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Block22 in Pittsburg, Kansas
Red Wing Ignite in Red Wing, Minnesota
20Fathoms in Traverse City, Michigan
City of Wilson, North Carolina

“These nine communities represent the best of what rural America has to offer.”

— Matt Dunne, CORI Founder; Executive Director, RISI

“These nine communities represent the best of what rural America has to offer: strong visions for the future, solid infrastructure, excellent quality of life, and the talented workforce needed to engage at a high-level in the digital economy,” said Matt Dunne, CORI Founder and executive director of RISI. “We heard from more than 130 rural communities that are interested in pursuing an innovation hub strategy and these nine stood out. We are excited to work with them and know that their energy, local assets, and innovative strategies are sure to deliver results for their communities.”

Criteria for selection included location in a rural county; existing high-speed broadband; available local real estate, or significant parts of the community located in New Market Tax Credit census tracts and/or Opportunity Zones; the ability to establish a partnership with a four-year endowed residential college or university; and the existence of a local nonprofit organization able to lead the initiative.

A unique tool that CORI developed and makes available on their website is their Rural Opportunity Map, which identifies areas of opportunity for economic development based in the new digital economy.

CORI's mapping process involves a deep analysis of rural landscapes to identify locations where their resources can make the most impact.

As Suzanne Anarde, LISC Vice President and Rural LISC Director, observed, “Rural America has struggled to bounce back from the recession. Entrepreneurship has been on the decline for the last decade – a trend that has hit rural communities particularly hard. CORI intends to help rural communities change that story.”

With a comprehensive approach to develop human capital, foster innovation, create jobs, leverage local institutions and infrastructure, access investment capital and build community engagement, CORI believes rural economies can thrive. And with its extensive rural development experience and deep commitment to America's rural regions, CORI's Rural Innovation Initiative aims to bridge the opportunity gap in rural America by helping communities build the capacity to create resilient, innovation-based jobs.