Fiscal, Economic, and Social Effects of Immigration in the Hoosier State

View Study This study details the current realities and implications of immigration in Indiana as a whole, including effects on demographics, education, wealth and poverty, employment, and the labor market. Study sponsored by Conexus Indiana. Written at Ball State University by Emily J. Wornell, PhD and Michael J. Hicks, PhD; published May 13, 2019. To …

Community Asset Inventory and Rankings: Changes in Indiana Counties

View Report In this report, we summarize the major changes in rankings for all categories of CAIR between 2012 and 2018. In addition, we also develop a ‘housing barometer’ tool for each county based on a county’s home prices relative to the state and its growth.  Visit the CAIR website at https://cair.cberdata.org to explore the full features …

Assessing Indiana’s E-Readiness in the Development of the Digital Society

View Report This study seeks to bridge the gaps in research on the relationship between broadband accessibility and human development by assessing the e-readiness of Indiana counties. Written by Srikant Devaraj, PhD; Sushil Sharma, PhD; Emily J. Wornell, PhD; and Michael J. Hicks, PhD (Ball State University); published Oct. 5, 2017.

Footloose Jobs & Urbanization

Footloose Jobs & Urbanization: Recent History and Policy Considerations for Indiana This policy brief outlines the recent history of footloose and non-footloose jobs in Indiana, including regional changes in rural and urban employment. We also examine economic development policy and suggest future models for consideration. Written by Michael J. Hicks, PhD (Center for Business and …

Local food hub sprouts in Little Falls Minnesota: Former Crestliner building takes new roots

RUPRI leader Cheryal Lee Hills, Executive Director Region Five in MN,  is a member of the RUPRI State Policy Panel and Next Generation National Advisory Board.  Cheryal and collaborator Arlene Jones launched “Sprout” on Friday, April 1st in Little Falls MN – with many funders, partners and contributors.   RUPRI was  honored to participate in this …

Webinar Series: The Great Plains In Focus – Featuring RUPRI State Policy Panel Member Dr. Michael Fortunado, Director of the Center for Rural Studies, Sam Houston State University

January 13, 2016 Starting January 13, 2016, the Rural Business Program at the University of Texas at San Antonio – Institute for Economic Development is teaming up with the University of Nebraska, Sam Houston State University and the University of Minnesota to bring you a quality rural webinar series. This no-cost webinar series will focus …

Featured RUPRI Leader: Cheryal Lee Hills

Cheryal Lee Hills, Executive Director, Region Five Development Commission (R5DC) Affiliate 501c3 North Central Economic Development Association With over 25 years of experience in community and economic development, Cheryal currently provides oversight of over three million dollars in project, levy and grant annual income. She oversees a high performing staff of six who deliver a range …

Creating Collective Impact: The SOAR Approach

This presentation discusses the SOAR Program of work and the goals with each step. It also touches base on prioritizing and the framework for regional rural innovation. Presented by Charles W. Fluharty (President and CEO, Rural Policy Research Institute) to “Building a Better Future for Coal Workers and their Communities” Workshop on November 13, 2015 …

Human Development & Technology in US Counties

View Policy Paper In this study, the authors expand the scope of their previous research using the Human Development & Technology Index (HDTI) to assess geographic trends in the access to and the quality of broadband technology across all US counties. This work includes considerations for policy makers. Written by Srikant Devaraj, PhD; Sushil Sharma, …

The Human Development Index of Indiana Counties: A Policy Perspective

View Policy Paper Three factors comprise the Human Development Index—health, education, and living standards. We examine those factors and provide a framework for policy considerations. This study is a research contribution to Primacy of Place, an interdisciplinary initiative at Ball State University (home of the RUPRI Center for State Policy). Primacy of Place focuses on …

SOAR as a Collective Impact Model: Lessons for Rural Health and Human Services

This presentation discusses the SOAR Program of work and the goals with each step. It also touches base on prioritizing and the framework for regional rural innovation. Presented by Charles W. Fluharty (President and CEO, Rural Policy Research Institute) to National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services on May 27, 2015 at Natural …

Increasing Citizen Engagement and Trust: The Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) Model

The presentation discusses the three phases of SOAR development as well as collective impact success. Presented by Charles W. Fluharty (President and CEO, Rural Policy Research Institute) to 10th OECD Rural Development Conference “National Prosperity through Modern Rural Policy” on May 20, 2015 in Memphis, Tennessee. View Presentation