Heartland Forward

Great conversation led by Brent D. Williams with Heartland Forward's Chairman and CEO Ross DeVol. The quick walks are brief but packed with powerful information!

Early this week, KFF Health News released their article “Millions in US Live in Places Where Doctors Don’t Practice and Telehealth Doesn’t Reach”, a human-focused piece discussing access to high-speed internet’s impact on health. CEO and Chairman Ross DeVol sat down with co-author Sarah Jane Tribble to offer his insight for the article. We are thrilled to be a part of the conversation in elevating access to high-speed internet, the number one economic issue of our time. Check out the article below:? https://lnkd.in/grN-xAwQ

Applications for the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator powered by Heartland Forward Alabama and Arkansas cohorts close TOMORROW! Are you an Alabama or Arkansas resident?? Do you have an idea for a business or a product? Our program supports entrepreneurs with the resources to turn their dreams into reality. Apply TODAY! https://lnkd.in/ezHXyBcF

“Heartland of Talent 2025” demonstrated that skilled professionals are leaving coastal economic hubs to join the rapid development of the heartland’s new economic centers. CEO and Chairman of the Board Ross DeVol went on WGVU, a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based NPR station, to discuss the report. He discussed the components of the report specific to Grand Rapids.? “Today we’re finding increasing number are either choosing to stay where they’ve gone to school, and that’s where the universities play a large role, and this is a large part of what’s been happening in Grand Rapids… But it’s a combination of also the amenities, the entertainment, the arts, the culture, the offerings of different locations. And are leaders trying to foster a more inclusive quality of life, quality of place environment that will attract this talent?” Check out the full story here: https://lnkd.in/e3KegqSA

On the latest episode of the Heartland Forward Podcast, Heartland Forward's Chief Research Officer Dave Shideler and Research Fellow Minoli Ratnatunga join Blake Woolsey to discuss the trends and insights shaping Most Dynamic Metropolitans 2024. In the research report's sixth year of release, Most Dynamic Metropolitans serves as a benchmark for economic dynamism across the country. Also on this episode, City of Midland, Texas Mayor Lori Blong sat down with Blake to discuss Midland's top-ranked performance in the 2024 rankings. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eERq-fh6

We are thrilled by the great response to our data brief on the tremendous impact of outdoor recreation on Arkansas’s economy! Check out an interview with Heartland Forward’s Research Director of Talent Pipeline Jonas (Cass) Crews on KUAF 91.3 Public Radio’s Ozarks at Large: https://lnkd.in/eVPjzZ_8 Read Axios NWA’s coverage of the research release here:? https://lnkd.in/eipPtP_8

Reminder to all Alabama and Arkansas residents: we are accepting applications for the Spring 2025 Idea Accelerator with our partners Builders + Backers!? Click the link below to sign up for the March 4th informational webinar and apply! Applications close on March 11th. https://lnkd.in/ezHXyBcF

Also at today’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism, President and COO Angie Cooper spoke in a session titled “Navigating the Future of AI in Travel and Tourism: Trends, Challenges and Strategic Insights”. While on stage, she discussed policy development, consumer perception and the potential for the positive impact of AI.

Research Director of Talent Pipeline Jonas (Cass) Crews delivered an address at the Arkansas Governor’s Conference on Tourism on the Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation in the Natural State. Along with Cass’ address, we released a research brief outlining the tremendous impact of outdoor recreation on Arkansas’s economy. This full research report and the accompanying visuals, will be made available by the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation later this week! For more information, check out the press release and the brief below. https://lnkd.in/ed3YAhiG

We are seeing a great response to our recent report, “Heartland of Talent 2025”! Check out coverage from 89.1 WEMU, an Ann-Arbor-based NPR station:? https://lnkd.in/ejkxM7ur