Inspiring rural leaders: 2025 Rural Ideas Summer is Septemer 18, will be hosted at The Works in Lansing

The second annual Rural Ideas Summit is set for Thursday, September 18, bringing together rural entrepreneurs, community changemakers, and local leaders for a day of learning, inspiration, and action. This one-day, virtual-first event is dedicated to equipping participants with proven strategies, real-world stories, and practical tools to help rural businesses grow and communities thrive.

The Works is proud to once again serve as one of a handful of in-person host sites across the country. While the summit’s content will be delivered virtually, attendees who choose the The Works location will enjoy a lunch discussion session, local networking opportunities, and a post-summit social hour from 4–5 p.m. featuring snacks and beverages from local providers.

This year’s Rural Ideas Summit will feature three powerful content tracks:
• Entrepreneur Track - Hear from rural business owners who’ve built, pivoted, and thrived, and walk away with actionable insights to help grow a new or existing venture.
• Community Development Track - Learn strategies for creating vibrant, future-ready rural places where people want to live and work.
• Proven Projects Track - Get inspired by completed initiatives with measurable impact; real stories of rural innovation in action.

The Rural Ideas Summit is more than a conference - it’s a platform for connection, collaboration, and forward momentum in rural communities. Whether attendees are entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, or community advocates, they’ll find tools, ideas, and partners to help them make a difference.

More information can be found in the advertisement printed on Page 4 in this week’s edition of The Standard. Registration is open at ruralideas.net/summit. When registering, be sure to select The Works to participate in-person.