Two weeks after Local First Arizona hosts its 16th Annual Rural Policy Forum at Bullion Plaza in Miami, Globe Miami will be the focus of the state. Over 300 local leaders and stakeholders will gather for his two-day sessions, receptions, hands-on workshops and keynotes. Held in a different town or city each year, the event attracts rural economic development professionals, community leaders, business owners, non-profit organizations and other rural stakeholders and those interested in sustaining rural communities. unite advocates with Attendees will learn strategies from national experts, hear success stories from across Arizona, and provide local leaders with the tools, resources, and relationships they need to face today’s challenges. The Arizona Rural Policy Forum provides skills building, networking, relationship building, sharing of best practices and lessons learned related to the needs and services of rural Arizona. Activities include intensive breakout sessions such as capacity building sessions, networking his receptions, and funder roundtables. The conference enables rural communities and non-profits to connect potential future partners with grant makers with visionary projects and community needs. Conference registration is $135 online at localfirstaz.com/events/2023-rural-policy-forum. Keynote speakers include Grove Mayor Al Gameros on Monday and Maren Mahoney of the Arizona Department of Resilience on Tuesday. Workshop topics include:

* Rural Arizona Voices on Needs and Priorities

* Decipher infrastructure funds

* Nurture and accelerate business prosperity

* Summary of rural resources

* Rethinking rural development

* A grassroots food system for stronger communities

* Local funder roundtable

* Future Rural Workforce

* Building an entrepreneurial ecosystem

Optional activities include tours on Wednesdays from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM focused on successes and projects such as the Besh Ba Gowa Park & ​​Museum and Grove’s new underwater complex. Hill Street School Housing Project. Gila County Provisional Community College School District – Grove/Miami Regional Training Center; Pindrop Travel Trailer and Downtown Miami. Thursday night’s Forum Celebration Dinner includes food trucks and live music, along with a “Copper Corridor Finest Wine Tasting” (ticket $35 + fee).

Sponsored by Local First Arizona and the Arizona Rural Development Council, the Arizona Rural Policy Forum brings together local economic development professionals, non-profit organizations, community leaders, managers, and other local stakeholders interested in sustaining local communities. connect people. Our goal is to hear strategies from national experts and learn best practices from around Arizona, so we can provide local leaders with the tools, resources, and relationships they need to face today’s challenges. It is to Sponsoring partners include Freeport-McMoRan, Gila Community College, APS, Arizona Community Foundation, SRP, OneAZ Credit Union and Growth Partners Arizona. Read more, register online at localfirstaz.com/rpf-agenda or call (602) 956-0909.