Joi Cuartero Austin is joined by Erik Reader, Director of Illinois Main Street, and Jonathan Stone, Program Officer at Main Street America, for a lively discussion about the upcoming IEDC Rural Retreat in Great Falls, Montana.

This first-of-its-kind event by the International Economic Development Council is designed specifically for professionals working in rural and tribal communities—and the format is anything but typical. The team dives into what makes this retreat unique, including Spark Talks and immersive, on-the-ground experiences that trade PowerPoints for people-powered stories.

Together, we explore:

• What rural really means (spoiler: it's not just a population number)
• The challenges and opportunities unique to rural economic development
• How local Main Street communities are using tools like TIF/BID/SSA, and placemaking to transform downtowns and riverfronts
• Why entrepreneurial ecosystems, creative space use, and hybrid business models are gaining traction
• How tools like the BOOMS Tracker help communities separate myth from reality and take control of revitalization

We also preview the three immersive tours led by Main Street America staff:

• Small-Town Startups with Global Spark (Conrad, MT)
• Breathing Life into Main Street (Downtown Great Falls)
• Riverfront Revival on the Missouri (West Bank Landing)

Finally, we reflect on what participants will take home from this rural retreat, the importance of building relationships across sectors, and why people—not just policies—are the real spark behind rural revitalization.