Heartland Forward has hosted salon-style dinners in several communities across the heartland to understand the region’s feelings on Al and discuss how best to leverage AI for good. This video recap of the Insightful conversations was shared at Heartland Summit 2025.
Filter: Announcements
PRESS RELEASE: Heartland Forward Wins Impact Award from NVCA & Venture Forward
National Venture Capital Association’s prestigious award recognizes leading organizations for their work in supporting entrepreneurs. BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Heartland Forward, a policy think-and-do tank dedicated to serving states and local communities in the middle of the country, has been recognized by the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), in partnership with Venture Forward to expand opportunities for entrepreneurs in the heartland. Despite… Continue reading PRESS RELEASE: Heartland Forward Wins Impact Award from NVCA & Venture Forward
PRESS RELEASE: Arkansas State Legislature Honors Rural Students at rootEd Capitol Day
rootEd Capitol Day connects students with state leaders to gain first-hand experience in policymaking, leadership and career opportunities Little Rock, Ark. – The Arkansas State Legislature honored rootEd Arkansas students and their advisors from the House Floor last Wednesday, recognizing their achievements in helping rural students plan for successful futures. rootEd Arkansas—a public-private partnership led by Heartland Forward, rootEd Alliance and the Arkansas Department of Education—trains… Continue reading PRESS RELEASE: Arkansas State Legislature Honors Rural Students at rootEd Capitol Day
Medical Residency Expansion Could Add $465 Million to Arkansas Economy, According to New Heartland Forward Report
Each new medical resident contributes $482,000 annually to the state’s economy–far exceeding training costs BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Today, Heartland Forward, a policy think-and-do tank dedicated to serving states and local communities in the middle of the country for economic advancement, released a new report finding that expanding Arkansas’s medical residency programs could generate $465 million… Continue reading Medical Residency Expansion Could Add $465 Million to Arkansas Economy, According to New Heartland Forward Report
2024 Year In Review
This past year marked five years of Heartland Forward. Over the first five years, we have established ourselves as one of the nation’s leading think-and-do-tanks. This look back is a great snapshot of our work in 2024 and the first five years of the organization.
Press Release: The U.S. Talent Map is Shifting—and Heartland Cities Are on the Rise
New report by Richard Florida finds the talent migration trend, first identified in 2022, has accelerated—heartland cities are now driving U.S. innovation and economic growth Bentonville, Ark. – A new report from Heartland Forward, a policy think-and-do tank focused on advancing economic performance in the middle of the country, leading urbanist Richard Florida and Karen… Continue reading Press Release: The U.S. Talent Map is Shifting—and Heartland Cities Are on the Rise
PRESS RELEASE: AI and Advanced Manufacturing are Driving America’s “Most Dynamic Metropolitans”
Heartland Forward’s report highlights how AI, advanced manufacturing, tourism and energy are reshaping U.S. metros Bentonville, Ark. – American metropolitans with AI investments, advanced manufacturing, tourism and energy sources rank among the Most Dynamic Metropolitans (MDM) in leading think-and-do tank Heartland Forward’s most recent index. Midland, Texas; Wildwood-The Villages, Fla.; and Bozeman, Mont. ranked as… Continue reading PRESS RELEASE: AI and Advanced Manufacturing are Driving America’s “Most Dynamic Metropolitans”
Heartland Forward Announces Strategic Leadership Changes and $500 Million Economic Impact Goal by 2030
Angie Cooper to serve as president, Ross DeVol as chairman of the board as Heartland Forward announces new $500M goal Bentonville, Ark. – Today, leading think-and-do tank, Heartland Forward announced Executive Vice President Angie Cooper has been named president and chief operating officer, and Ross DeVol, who has led Heartland Forward as president and CEO… Continue reading Heartland Forward Announces Strategic Leadership Changes and $500 Million Economic Impact Goal by 2030
PRESS RELEASE: Heartland Forward Expands Telehealth Access Initiative to Oklahoma
The think-and-do tank’s latest initiative trains Oklahoma librarians to help communities access telehealth Oklahoma – Today, Heartland Forward – a policy think-and-do tank dedicated to serving states and local communities in the middle of the country – announced an initiative to expand telehealth access in Oklahoma by teaching librarians how to prepare community members for… Continue reading PRESS RELEASE: Heartland Forward Expands Telehealth Access Initiative to Oklahoma
PRESS RELEASE: Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center Releases New Research on Models of Equitable Entrepreneurship Across the United States
Supported by Nasdaq and JPMorganChase, new report highlights the top states fostering inclusive entrepreneurship SAN FRANCISCO, October 7, 2024 — The non-profit Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center today announced the release of new research from its multi-year Venture Equity Project (VEP), supported by JPMorganChase and Nasdaq. The research focuses on two key goals: advancing equity in entrepreneurship… Continue reading PRESS RELEASE: Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center Releases New Research on Models of Equitable Entrepreneurship Across the United States