Community capacity is the collective ability of a community to draw on its people, institutions, relationships, and resources to thrive. In discussions with people from rural communities across the Midwest, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago has heard repeatedly about the challenges they face in building and maintaining such capacity. Where capacity is strong, communities are well positioned to attract and leverage investment capital, navigate economic shifts, and pursue long-term goals. But in many rural places, local experts observe that the people and organizations that sustain this work are increasingly stretched.

This year’s Rural Futures Series event will bring together community leaders, practitioners, and resource providers for in-depth conversations about how communities can strengthen capacity while focusing on four key areas: leadership, healthcare investment, succession planning, and external resources.