WeCAN October Peer Learning Network Call: Community Civic Health
Community Civic Health event hosted by the Western Rural Development Center and Western Community Assessment Network, October 14, 2026, 10–11 a.m. PT and 11 a.m.–12 p.m. MT.
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WRDCÂ Expands Research Team
WRDC is pleased to announce four new faces joining us to support our research efforts. We welcome Post Doctoral research fellows Richard Acquah-Sarpong, Shengrong Hu, and Federico Ninivaggi; as well as visiting scholar Tatiane Almeida de Menezes.
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Western Region Household Survey Report Now Available
The Western Region Household Survey Report presents index measures that synthesize multiple survey questions from the WR-Stat: Baseline Survey 2024, a comprehensive household survey conducted across the thirteen states in the Western United States , into meaningful indicators of household and community well-being.
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WRDC Researchers Publish Study on Family Health and Entrepreneurial Success
WRDC researchers Nadeeka Weerasekara, Paul Lewin and Monica Fisher have published a new article on their study examining how family health influences the financial success of entrepreneurs.
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Understanding Rural–Non-Rural Gaps in Career Development Participation: New Insights from a National Study
Colleges increasingly emphasize internships, career counseling, and work-based learning as essential steps in preparing students for the transition from college to employment. A growing body of research shows that students who take part in these activities experience better hiring outcomes and stronger early-career earnings.
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WRDC Community Development Workshop Brings Land-Grant Professionals Together in Honolulu
In early April, the Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) convened land-grant faculty, Extension professionals, and applied researchers for the WRDC Community Development Workshop in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.
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Community Development Institute West Curriculum Announced
CDI West offers training in the essentials of creating healthy communities and economies – critical to survive and thrive in a time of shifting funding, policies and priorities. The Rural West needs increased local capacity, civic engagement and leadership development; new revenue and cooperative models; strong civic institutions; and a sense of shared responsibility and local ownership—all strategies covered at CDI West.
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East Helena Looks Ahead with WeCAN & Community Planning
WRDC Extension Program Manager, Amber Smyer, participated in the Growing East Helena: Your Thoughts, Your Community event, a community review process conducted March 9-11, 2026, in partnership with the Western Community Assessment Network (WeCAN), the Montana Economic Developers Association, and the Montana Business Assistance Connection.
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WRDC Presents at 2026 Western Places | Western Spaces Conference
Since relocating to the University of Idaho Water Center, the Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) has expanded its work across the region through presentations, partnerships, and community-based initiatives.
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Building Thriving Rural Communities: WRDC’s 2025 Annual Report
With data-driven insights, innovative programs, and real-world impact stories, the Western Rural Development Center’s 2025 Annual Report offers a comprehensive look at how WRDC leverages partnerships, research, and Extension to support resilient and thriving rural communities across the western United States.
