Students in the course Policy and Persuasion will work with staff from Pathfinders RC&D and the South Central Iowa Local Workforce Development Board to develop policy directions for issues related to five focus areas: rural development, innovation, workforce, health, and community capacity.

Pathfinders RC&D is interested in developing a rural innovation hub in South Central Iowa. It asked students to research what has been done in other communities and what elements would be needed to create a successful rural innovation hub in their area.

The hub would provide a coordinated effort to accelerate the revitalization of the six rural Iowa communities that are central to Pathfinders’ work. It would support communities in accessing, leveraging, and aligning funding, guide economic development at the regional level, and establish resources and best practices that can be shared with other rural communities.

Working in teams, students will research the five focus areas and respond to key questions:

1. Rural Resource Guide: What funding opportunities and programs/services exist for people living in rural Iowa communities? Have other rural areas created similar guides? 
2. Workforce Development: What business-related data is collected at the community, county, state, and federal levels? What are best practices of innovations by other rural areas related to business development and success? What surveys have been used to gather information from employers and employees?
3. Setting Up a Rural Innovation Hub: What are examples of successful rural innovation hubs, and what lessons can be gleaned from these communities? Are their existing resources for grant-writing and technical assistance?
4. Community Capacity Building: What are the current needs and challenges faced by local nonprofits, organizations, and small businesses? What are best practices to tailor services to enhance a community's capacity and economic resilience? How can collaboration be fostered to share best practices and resources?
5. Community Health Resources: What current resources promote mental health awareness and opioid treatment? Are there existing initiatives to address opioid-related challenges? Who are potential partners for awareness campaigns? What community health needs assessments exist from other communities?