Regional development professionals, policymakers and stakeholders will convene to discuss community and economic development trends, best practices and opportunities in the Midwest and Mountainland states. The peer learning conference will be held on May 3-5 at the Hotel Phillips in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

Coordinated by NADO, the conference will feature roundtable discussions on strategies for positioning America's heartland for regional economic vitality, local government and community strategies for broadband deployment and access, and understanding the local impact of World Trade Organization negotiations on federal agriculture and rural development policies.

Attendees will learn about the latest developments, funding outlook and strategic directions of key federal partners, including USDA rural development and the Economic Development Administration. As part of the peer learning lab, the event will feature a plenary session roundtable on state-level initiatives of regional planning and development organizations.

Panelists will also highlight strategies for implementing successful regional entrepreneurship strategies, establishing partnerships with rural electric cooperatives, and pursuing alternative economic development solutions and opportunities for agricultural-based communities.

With support from EPA, participants will have an opportunity to attend a mobile workshop tour of the Negro League Baseball Museum -- a shining example of a successful brownfields redevelopment project.

Mark your calendar today for the May 3-5 economic development peer learning conference!