Just Published: Health Care Access in the Heartland

Read Heartland Forward’s most recent research report, Health Care Access in the Heartland: How to improve services in rural America, offers a qualitative and quantitative look at the causes, effects and possible policy solutions to improve health services and workforce opportunities for rural communities. Visit the Rural Health Care Accessibility Atlas Download our policy roadmap

From Research To Renewal, Part 2: States Realizing The Potential Of Research Institutions

Technology transfers – or sharing the results of research that leads to innovation – are an essential fuel for the economic growth of state economies. A better understanding the technology transfer activities in each state helps governors, state agencies and state legislatures – the ultimate guardians of economic development – to make informed decisions about… Continue reading From Research To Renewal, Part 2: States Realizing The Potential Of Research Institutions

Economic Savings in America: A Story of Public-Private Partnership in Rapid COVID-19 Vaccine Development and Deployment

The rapid development and deployment of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic lessened the impact of the virus on the economy, generating an estimated economic savings in the U.S. of $438 billion in terms of 2021 real GDP gain, or 2.3% of 2021 real GDP. These savings, and the development of the vaccine itself, are possible because of the United States’ unique public-private partnership between government agencies, academia and the biopharmaceutical industry that supports innovations in disease therapy.

Heartland of Opportunity

This report focuses on how to identify opportunity occupations for working-class people and what locations are well suited to grow and support these occupations. Can the American Dream be saved? The U.S. middle-class, which epitomizes American values such as hard work, commitment to family and the expectation that a relatively secure future is achievable for almost all, is less easily obtained today than… Continue reading Heartland of Opportunity

Arkansas Economic Recovery Strategy

Commissioned By The Governor’s Taskforce For Economic Recovery COVID-19 has caused substantial economic dislocations in Arkansas and across the nation. It has accelerated changes that were already underway, such as the ability to work remotely on a large scale and the necessity for high-speed internet access to conduct commerce, obtain educational and workforce training and… Continue reading Arkansas Economic Recovery Strategy

The Emergence of the Global Heartland

Landesflaggen vor der Messe

A major shift in the demographic evolution of America is occurring, largely out of sight in the national media, but profoundly affecting communities throughout the Heartland. The 20 state region,i which extends between the Appalachians and the Rockies, has for generations been largely unaffected by the massive movement of people from abroad that has so… Continue reading The Emergence of the Global Heartland

Is Racial Economic Inequality Worse in Rural Areas? Spoiler Alert: It Ain’t

An analysis of the success gap between Black and white individuals, not only how it varies by region and ruralness of the childhood community, but also how the relationship between the success gap and ruralness varies by region. It is well-established that, in the United States, the likelihood of a Black individual being economically successful… Continue reading Is Racial Economic Inequality Worse in Rural Areas? Spoiler Alert: It Ain’t

RESHORING AMERICA: CAN THE HEARTLAND LEAD THE WAY?

Reshoring is the relocation of production facilities to, or the creation of new ones in, the United States. Many domestic and foreign companies are recognizing the strategic advantages of locating in the United States, such as protecting intellectual property, shortening supply chains and shrinking wage differentials between the United States, China and other overseas locations.