Community Development Institute West Curriculum Announced

WRDC is committed to strengthening relationships with partners across the West. This fall, we connected in person with Western Land-Grant Universities, 1994 Tribal Colleges, and Tribal Extension leaders to learn about their work, understand local priorities, and explore opportunities for collaboration that support rural communities and drive rural prosperity throughout the region.

WRDC Graduate Assistance Grantee Richard Acquah-Sarpong presented new research at the 72nd NARSC Annual Meeting that takes a deeper look at how wildfire exposure influences firm migration across the Western United States. By combining business-level data with a wildfire exposure index that captures smoke exposure and population-weighted burned area, the study offers an early view into how environmental hazards can reshape local economic landscapes. This work is positioned to inform future planning efforts and support stronger economic resilience in rural communities.

WRDC researchers Nastasya Winckel and Paul Lewin analyzed nearly two decades of national data to understand better whether self-employment offers a meaningful pathway out of poverty for low-income workers. Their findings show that financial outcomes vary widely and often depend on economic conditions, duration in self-employment, and prior income levels. The study provides a nuanced look at the trade-offs involved and raises important questions for researchers and practitioners focused on poverty alleviation and labor market dynamics.

The Interdisciplinary Network on Rural Population Health and Aging (INRPHA), with support from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), is seeking pilot research proposals that advance understanding of rural health and aging trends and disparities.
Deadline: April 10, 2026, at 5:00 PM CT
Start Date: As early as July 1, 2026