2026 Investing In Rural America Conference: Banking on Community: How CRA Funding Can Strengthen Small Towns and Rural Places
October 1 , 2:30 pm EDT – 3:30 pm EDT
Rural America is defined not by a single story, but by resilience, innovation and deep-rooted community assets. This year’s Investing in Rural America Conference, themed “The Strength of Rural Places,” highlights the people, institutions and local strategies that power rural economies and sustain long-term prosperity. By centering the unique assets of rural places, the conference will explore how tailored, place-based approaches can unlock opportunity, expand collaboration, and support vibrant communities across the nation.
This year the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond is partnering with the Federal Reserve System and Rural LISC to bring together community development practitioners, financial institutions, policymakers, researchers, and rural leaders for this important dialogue. The conference will run from September 30 – October 2, 2026 at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina.
NCRC’s own Catherine Petrusz will be a panelist in a breakout session discussing how CRA funding can strengthen small towns and rural places.
