Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
America's Rural Future: Brookings–AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity is a bipartisan initiative co-chaired by former Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat, and former Governor Chris Sununu, a Republican. America's Rural Future brings together a cross-section of the country—spanning diverse backgrounds, regions, values, and industries—to inform its work to develop policy solutions for rural prosperity. On May 13, America's Rural Future hosted a public Field Hearing at Hazard Community and Technical College in Hazard, Kentucky. This panel examined the challenges and opportunities in rural Appalachia. Expert panelists: Dreama Gentry, President/CEO of Partners for Rural Impact; Rocky Massey, Chief of Staff of Appalachian Regional Healthcare; and Luke Glaser, City Councilman for Hazard and Assistant Principal at Hazard High School.
Nearly one in five Americans lives in rural communities, and their contributions are vital to the nation's economic, cultural, and social fabric. The Commission brings together leaders from across industries to develop long-term, pragmatic solutions grounded in rural realities, focused on ensuring a fair shot, no matter the zip code. Senior Fellow Tony Pipa (Brookings) and Brent Orrell (AEI) lead the research efforts supporting the Commission's work. To learn more about our research, visit: brookings.edu/americasruralfuture
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America's Rural Future: Brookings–AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity is a bipartisan initiative co-chaired by former Senator Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat, and former Governor Chris Sununu, a Republican. America's Rural Future brings together a cross-section of the country—spanning diverse backgrounds, regions, values, and industries—to inform its work to develop policy solutions for rural prosperity. On May 13, America's Rural Future hosted a public Field Hearing at Hazard Community and Technical College in Hazard, Kentucky. This panel examined the challenges and opportunities in rural Appalachia. Expert panelists: Dreama Gentry, President/CEO of Partners for Rural Impact; Rocky Massey, Chief of Staff of Appalachian Regional Healthcare; and Luke Glaser, City Councilman for Hazard and Assistant Principal at Hazard High School.
Nearly one in five Americans lives in rural communities, and their contributions are vital to the nation's economic, cultural, and social fabric. The Commission brings together leaders from across industries to develop long-term, pragmatic solutions grounded in rural realities, focused on ensuring a fair shot, no matter the zip code. Senior Fellow Tony Pipa (Brookings) and Brent Orrell (AEI) lead the research efforts supporting the Commission's work. To learn more about our research, visit: brookings.edu/americasruralfuture
Subscribe! youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=BrookingsInstitution
Follow Brookings on social media!
Facebook: Facebook.com/Brookings
Twitter: twitter.com/BrookingsInst
Instagram: Instagram.com/brookingsinst
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/com/company/the-brookings-institution
