The Federal Reserve recognizes that aggregate statistics on economic and financial conditions can mask important variations between regions and locales. Research demonstrates that the economic benefits of the business cycle are not distributed evenly across communities, particularly rural communities. In pursuit of its goal of maximum employment, the Federal Reserve conducts research and analysis to understand where and why these disparities exist, and how they affect businesses and residents. It also brings together local, state, and national partners to identify solutions and to accelerate positive change in their communities.

Presentations

Investing in Rural Prosperity
May 2022

Investing in Rural Prosperity: Framework for Advancing Economic Prosperity
November 2021

Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities – A Policy Forum
August 2017

The Future of Rural Communities: Implications for Housing
May 2016

 

Research

The Effects of COVID-19, as Reported by Local Communities
February 2021

Housing Affordability in the U.S.: Trends by Geography, Tenure, and Household Income
September 2019

Rural Affordable Rental Housing: Quantifying Need, Reviewing Recent Federal Support, and Assessing the Use of Low Income Housing Tax Credits in Rural Areas (PDF)
July 2018

 

Publications

Supporting entrepreneurship for rural economic development  
February 2022

Building Rural Capacity for an Inclusive Recovery
May 2022

Insights on Advancing Shared Rural Prosperity
December 2021

Investing in Rural Prosperity
November 2021

The “TRIC” to Fostering Shared Economic Prosperity in Rural America
October 2021

Perspectives from Main Street: Bank Branch Access in Rural Communities
November 2019

Harvesting Opportunity: The Power of Regional Food System Investments to Transform Communities
Summer 2017

Affordable Rental Housing in Rural Texas: Needs and Solutions
August 2019

Confronting Rental Affordability Shortages in the Rural Southeast
December 2018

Fed Research Looks at the Southeast's Affordable Housing Squeeze
December 2018

Access to Local Food Systems as a Rural Economic Driver
September 2018

Renters Feel the Squeeze, While Homeowners Enjoy Relative Affordability
Summer 2018

Summary of the 18th Annual Financial Innovations Roundtable: Financial Innovations to Improve Economic Resiliency in Rural Communities (PDF)
March 2018

Harvesting Inclusive Economic Opportunity through Regional Food Systems Investments
February 2018

Food and Economic Growth: Setting the Table for Success
January 2018

Underserved Communities Find Fresh Success in Food
December 2017

The Economic Impact of Locally Produced Food
December 2017

Small Business Credit Survey: Report on Rural Employer Firms (PDF)
December 2017

Financing Food Co-ops to Advance Regional Food Systems
October 2017

Rural Gateway Peer-to-Peer Conference Call: Harvesting Opportunity
October 2017

How Regional Food Investment Creates More Equitable Communities
September 2017

 

Speeches

Chair Jerome H. Powell
February 2019
Encouraging Economic Development in High-Poverty Rural Communities

Chair Jerome H. Powell
December 2018
Welcoming Remarks At the Housing Assistance Council's 2018 Rural Housing Conference, Washington, D.C.

Vice Chair for Supervision Randal K. Quarles
December 2018
Banks as Vital Infrastructure for Rural Communities of the West

Vice Chair for Supervision Randal K. Quarles
October 2018
Trends in Urban and Rural Community Banks

Governor Lael Brainard
November 2017
Regional Food Systems and Community Development

Governor Lael Brainard
September 2017
Why Persistent Employment Disparities Matter for the Economy's Health

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Last Update: July 19, 2023