Idaho Commerce Leads Statewide Collaboration to Strengthen Rural Communities at Fifth Annual Rural Success Summit
Boise, Idaho (May 20, 2026) — More than 200 participants and nearly two dozen exhibitors attended the fifth annual Idaho Rural Success Summit, held May 12-13 on the Idaho State University campus in Pocatello. The event brought together community leaders, business owners, state agencies, and nonprofit partners from across Idaho to share success stories and explore solutions to the challenges facing rural communities.
This year’s summit focused on issues ranging from rural gentrification and housing to childcare and economic development. Keynote speakers included Hamza Abdelrahman, a senior economic analyst at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco; Martin Balben of the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children; and Dr. Jennifer Sherman, a sociologist at Washington State University specializing in rural dynamics.
In addition to the presentations, the summit provided an opportunity to participate in a resource fair and network with attendees from across the state.
“The Idaho Rural Success Summit is an inspiring reminder of the resilience and innovation found in our rural communities. I am proud to witness how collaboration and resourcefulness are helping Idaho’s small towns thrive and create new opportunities for their residents,” says Jerry Miller, Idaho Commerce Rural Services Manager.
Idaho Commerce partnered with several statewide and regional organizations to host the summit, including the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Four County Alliance of Southeastern Idaho, Great Rift Business Development Organization, Idaho Department of Agriculture, Idaho Rural Water Users Association, Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho, USDA Rural Development, and the U.S. Small Business Administration (Boise District).
Summit sponsors included Idaho State University, Wells Fargo, LOR Foundation, REDI, USDA, Idaho Power, Idaho Community Foundation/Idaho Nonprofit Center, and Idaho Central Credit Union.
For more information, visit ruralsummit.idaho.gov or contact [email protected].
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