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/ Videos / Re-writing the Rural Narrative:The Brain Gain of Rural America - Vilas County EDC & Ben Winchester
Featured Speaker: Ben Winchester, Senior Research Fellow at the U of MN Extension, Center for Community Vitality & Nationally-recognized expert featured on PBS and in the NY Times.
Something is Happening in Rural America.
“If small towns are dying, then why can’t I find a new house to buy?”
The headlines can be disparaging about rural America. It is often much more apparent - or visual when a hardware or grocery store closes in a small town or we see the loss of 18-year-olds who leave their small towns after high school.
The Vilas County Economic Development Corporation is at the forefront of Wisconsin’s Northwoods initiatives to grow its economy and population, supporting current data and socio-economic trends that the rural “narrative” is changing. . . for the better. Those moving into rural communities offset and surpass the numbers of those moving way.
Since the 1970s there’s been a “rural rebound”. This emerging trend has seen a growing number of people moving from urban to rural living. Now, with the Covid-19 pandemic, economic uncertainty, and social unrest this trend is accelerating, particularly in highly sought after vacation destinations like Vilas County.
Join us as Ben explores how the population shift is supported by increasing broadband access, the benefits of working remotely, changing work practices, slower place of life, safety and security, and lower costs of living and housing - thus the “Brain Gain” of 30 to 49-year-olds moving to rural America.
“No-one is moving to small towns for pity. They are moving for what you are, and, more importantly, will be.” ~ Ben Winchester
For more information contact Kathy Schmitz, Executive Director, Vilas County Economic Development, at [email protected]
Take a minute to meet our fabulous Vilas County business owners in our new VCEDC Business Minute series!
ViewTake a minute to meet our fabulous Vilas County business owners in our new VCEDC Business Minute series!
ViewTake a minute to meet our fabulous Vilas County business owners in our new VCEDC Business Minute series!
ViewDan Beihoff found his paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewKayla and Keith Anderson found their paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewRobin and Patrick Indermuehle found their paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewRick Wilson found his paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewTasha found her paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewSteven found his paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewBre & Joel found their paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewVilas County Economic Development Corporation Lunch and Learn: Financial Resources for Your Current or New Business
ViewVilas County Economic Development Corporation Lunch and Learn: Grow Your Business with Online Sales
ViewJo found her paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewEmily & Adam found their paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewDr. Doug found his paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewAmanda found her paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewRyli and Josh found their paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewLuke found his paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewVilas County Economic Development Corporation Lunch and Learn: Remote Working - Thriving in the Evolving Workplace!
ViewBusiness planning, financial resources, marketing, websites, hiring and managing staff, contracts? We're here to help!
ViewHelen found her paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewDiane found her paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewChristie & Joe found their paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewSarah & Tom found their paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewHaley & Dylan found their paradise in Vilas County.
Interested in starting or growing a business in Northern Wisconsin? Watch our series of videos with real entrepreneurs, remote workers and business owners.
ViewSpeaker: Wendy K. Baumann, President/Chief Visionary Officer - Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
ViewSpeaker: Junea Rocha, Frozen Foods/Brazi Bites Co-Founder. ABC’s Shark Tank entrepreneur. Forbes contributor
ViewVCEDC Remote Worker Meet-Up - The State of Broadband in Vilas County
Featured Speaker: Bill Niemuth
ViewCarol found paradise in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
ViewBrad and Rubie found paradise in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.
ViewReach out to the folks at the Vilas County Economic Development Corporation today!
Contact UsWe can email you a PDF highlighting many of the wonderful aspects of our area.