America's Rural Future: North Dakota and Minnesota field hearings spotlight rural innovation, connectivity, and capacity as foundations for prosperity

Commission begins nationwide rural listening tour

America’s Rural Future: Brookings–AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity held its first in a series of Field Hearings in North Dakota and Minnesota as part of a two-year, bipartisan effort to develop policy recommendations for strengthening rural communities nationwide. Over three days, a group of Commission members met with local leaders, residents, business owners, and officials. They examined how technology, infrastructure, and capital can anchor rural prosperity for future generations.

Led onsite by Commission Co-Chair Heidi Heitkamp, former senator of North Dakota, these public sessions emphasized listening and evidence-driven inquiry. Commission members also engaged with farmers, tribal leaders, educators, and civic stakeholders to better understand how rural economies are adapting to demographic change, technological disruption, and evolving economic realities. Insights from North Dakota and Minnesota will inform the next set of hearings across other U.S. regions as the Commission builds toward a comprehensive national rural strategy in 2027.

Senior Fellows Tony Pipa (Brookings, Center for Sustainable Development) and Brent Orrell (AEI) are facilitating the Commission’s work and research.

Hear Commission member Tom Halverson’s insights

Field hearings showcase local leadership and community priorities

The Commission hosted four public hearings—two at Grand Farm Innovation Campus in Casselton, North Dakota, and two on the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota. Below are the session links and brief summaries for each of the four Field Hearings.

Connectivity as critical infrastructure

On October 22, the Commission held its first public hearing, hosted at the Grand Farm Innovation Campus. Expert panelists Todd Domres (Dakota Carrier Network), Mac McLennan (Minnkota Power Cooperative), and Bob Henderson (Cass County Government) examined how North Dakota’s cooperative broadband model has enabled near-universal rural fiber access, and how communities are now shifting to focus on digital adoption and affordability, and future-proofing their networks. The discussion explored the long-term investments and federal-state coordination that have made North Dakota a national leader in rural broadband, and highlighted new infrastructure pressures, including data centers, AI-related energy demand, and the importance of regional planning.

Investing in capacity for future prosperity

The second public hearing at the Grand Farm explored how financial, administrative, and institutional capacity shape long-term prosperity in rural places. Panelists Jared Hagert (North Dakota State Representative), Lorraine Davis (Native American Development Center), and Megan Langley (Strengthen ND) highlighted a mix of opportunities and constraints. They also underscored that building the administrative, leadership, and collaborative capacity at the local level is indispensable to translating available resources into lasting, community-led outcomes.

On October 23, the Commission visited White Earth Nation in Minnesota, where conversations centered on sovereignty, community wellbeing, and the structural realities shaping tribal and rural development.

What does the future look like on White Earth Nation?

Expert witnesses included Nate Mathews (Tribal Utility Commission), Bridget Guiza (White Earth Tribal and Community College), and Mary Metelak (B&T Meats). The speakers described how Tribal governance; long-standing issues with land tenure; the jurisdictional complexity with state and federal governments; and capacity constraints shape the investment environment. They emphasized that economic development in the region requires strategies grounded in local agency—and that effective policy must integrate cultural wellbeing, education, local business ecosystems, and place-based capital.

What does the future look like in rural Minnesota?

The second public hearing hosted on White Earth Nation focused on partnerships, innovation, and regional collaboration as drivers of rural prosperity in Minnesota. Panelists Benya Kraus (Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation), Mike Reese (University of Minnesota West Central Research and Outreach Center, Morris), and Ben Schierer (Former Mayor, Fergus Falls) stressed the importance of civic belonging, narrative change, and inclusive leadership as key ingredients for navigating demographic, economic, and environmental transitions in rural Minnesota.

Media highlights Commission’s regional engagement and policy resonance

The Commission’s visit generated substantial media attention across North Dakota and Minnesota, underscoring both the importance of its inaugural Field Hearings and the region’s broad interest in advancing rural policy solutions. Notable media mentions include: