Highlighting the Key Figures
The event was graced by three prominent White House officials: Neera Tanden, a domestic policy advisor, Stephen Benjamin, the director of public engagement, and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. This demonstrated the administration's commitment to investing in rural America and creating opportunities for its residents.Broadband Access Pioneers
Rural Innovators like Jill Dunham from Allegan County, Michigan, and Jeremiah Clever from Meridian, Idaho, are at the forefront of expanding broadband access. Dunham, with a background in Technology, serves as the Broadband project manager for the Allegan County Government. Clever, as the president of Communications Workers of America local 7603, directs the union's Fiber Technician Apprenticeship Program, training the future broadband workers of Idaho.Despite the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law providing a $65 billion investment in broadband infrastructure, many rural communities still face challenges. Local leadership plays a crucial role in overcoming these obstacles and ensuring broadband access for all.
For instance, Dunham and Clever are working tirelessly to bring high-speed internet to their communities, realizing the importance of connectivity in today's digital age.
Educational Innovators
Several Rural Innovators were honored for their work in education. Sylandi Brown, a member of the school board in Pulaski County, Georgia, Alexis Racelis, a professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Rick Erickson, a retired high school teacher from Bayfield, Wisconsin, are making a difference.Michael Jefferson, the president of Cut One, School One, Youth Crime Intervention in Tunica, Mississippi, combines vocational training with educational support and mental health treatment. His program aims to redirect young lives towards positive futures, providing technical training and career opportunities in barbering and cosmetology.
These educational innovators are shaping the future of rural students and preparing them for the challenges of the modern world.
Sustainable Rural Innovators
Erin Martin, a farmer in North Carolina, works the land her great-great-grandparents bought in 1883 and advocates for locally grown, fresh food. She serves as the outreach coordinator for a grocery store cooperative.Jennifer Gauthier, an enrolled member of the Menominee Nation in Wisconsin, directs the Sustainable Development Institute at the College of Menominee Nation. She applies indigenous knowledge to climate change and food systems research, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in rural areas.
Ted Matthews, who served as the administrator for several rural hospitals in Texas and came out of retirement to support Anson General Hospital during its transition to a federally-designated Rural Emergency Hospital, is also making a significant impact in rural health.
Community Health Champions
Luis Omar Garcia, the president of Unidos por la Comunidad Arenas in southern Puerto Rico, has spearheaded numerous community health initiatives. In an area hit hard by the 2020 earthquakes, he coordinated the delivery of critical supplies and medical visits, along with mental health support.His organization also played a crucial role in establishing a local testing, tracking, and monitoring program at the onset of the 2019 Covid-19 pandemic, making Arenas the first neighborhood in Puerto Rico to do so.
Garcia's efforts have had a profound impact on the well-being of his community.
Economic and Philanthropic Innovators
The White House also recognized Rural Innovators working in economic development and philanthropy, as well as art organizations. These individuals are driving growth and making a positive impact in their respective fields.Each of these Rural Innovators is a shining example of what can be achieved when passion and dedication meet the needs of rural communities.
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