Ellen talks with Chris Estes, co-executive director of Aspen Institute's Community Strategies Group, which supports rural communities, particularly those that have historically been overlooked. Chris emphasizes a shift from a deficit-based approach to an asset-based approach in community development and the benefits of rural-urban regional collaboration. He highlights successful strategies and models for regional cooperation and innovative models to foster local ownership that nurture the intrinsic value of rural areas and their contribution to urban areas.

Episode Highlights:
03:07 Asset-Based Community Development

04:45 Interdependence of Rural and Urban Areas

06:38 Challenges in Rural Economic Development

15:19 Innovative Regional Models

20:04 Wealth Building and Local Ownership

26:25 Thrive Rural Framework

29:26 The Importance of Rural Data

More Information:
Chris Estes Bio, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/people/chris-estes/
Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/community-strategies-group/
Thrive Rural Framework, https://www.aspencsg.org/thrive-rural-development/
Four Principles for Fostering Community Well-Being with Asset-Based Development, https://www.aspencsg.org/four-principles-for-fostering-community-well-being-with-asset-based-development/

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