TPMA has launched Prosperity Through Equity, a survey which will create a national snapshot exploring pandemic impact on rural communities across the U.S.
The Prosperity Through Equity assessment covers a community’s strengths, areas of need, and local recommendations for improvement in these areas. This important feedback will be shared with thought leaders and researchers to enhance their research efforts to find solutions to the issues faced by rural communities.
Data shows that despite being an invaluable resource (manufacturing, farming), between 42 and 162 million people in the United States do not have access to reliable and affordable high-speed broadband. This is one of many challenges facing rural communities. The goal of Prosperity Through Equity is to learn about the true hardships that rural communities are having to endure as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the work being done to develop processes that can help these communities realize their full economic potential.
“There is a disproportionate amount of attention on urban areas,” says Tom Miller, President and CEO of TPMA. “Rural communities are the backbone of America and drive our economy. We need to gain a better understanding of the real issues, not the assumed ones. We know there are communities who are doing truly innovative things to overcome. We want to learn from and hear from those communities.”
Participation in the survey is voluntary and anonymous. Taking a collaborative approach on data, the results will be shared with other think-tanks and education institutions. Results are expected to be announced later this fall.