Western Governors group explores rural initiatives

POST FALLS — A group of top-level local, state and federal policy makers and politicians from across the West converged in Post Falls on Tuesday for a roundtable discussion on a wide range of topics affecting the rural West.

Moderated by Idaho Gov. Brad Little, the all-day workshop included brainstorming sessions on rural energy for the future, natural resources management, rural entrepreneurship, broadening outdoor recreation and strengthening the economy.

Sponsored by the Western Governors’ Association, the “Reimagining the Rural West Initiative” examines challenges and opportunities in rural economic development, community collaboration and revitalization in North Idaho, investing in infrastructure and improving quality of life.

“For policy makers and stakeholders, this is a great opportunity to explore strategies that can leverage the West’s strengths in areas like energy, agriculture and tourism,” Little told about 100 officials who attended the event.

“This is an opportunity to identify strategies to assure rural areas possess critical attributes for strong communities including health care, affordable housing, arts and culture, quality education and civic leadership through policy actions,” the governor said.

Reimagining the Rural West Initiative is the central policy effort of North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Chair of the Western Governors’ Association, which represents 22 Western states. The Initiative is examining challenges and opportunities in rural areas with a goal of recommending policies to support vibrant rural communities in the West.

“There is no other group of elected officials with such a collective level of influence on a bipartisan basis to produce and pursue public policy that is substantive and meaningful,” said WGA executive director Jim Ogsbury.

“The Western Governors’ Association is exactly the right group to reimagine the rural West,” he said.

Groups and agencies represented at the workshop included the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Small Business Association, Idaho Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Agriculture, University of Idaho, the Idaho Commission on the Arts and Idaho Forest Group.

In addition to Gov. Little’s remarks, workshop roundtables featured influential experts discussing topics such as how to reduce energy burdens for rural businesses and increasing telehealth services (the distribution of health-related services and information via electronic information).

“The goal of this Initiative is to share those stories about communities in the rural West and the opportunities that exist here and how we can capitalize on these opportunities in these very rapidly changing times,” Little said.

The WGA addresses important policy and governance issues in the West, advances the role of the Western states in the federal system, and strengthens the social and economic fabric of the region, Ogsbury said.

“We develop policy and carry out programs in the areas of natural resources, the environment, human services, economic development, international relations and state governance,” he said.

The WGA has held workshops and webinars across the West this year to develop a report based on feedback and information gathered at those events. The knowledge gained will be used to shape how the association moves forward on a wide range of policy issues.

The report is expected to be finalized next June.

“That won’t be the end of this effort,” Ogsbury said. “It will be the end of the beginning. This gubernatorial report will form policy on rural development in the West for years to come.”

Ogsbury added: “We don’t regard these workshops as just another conference, another talk fest. These are robust work sessions where we engage the entire group.”