005: View From The Top with Matt Dunne

Welcome to the latest episode of View from the Top! Today's conversation features Matt Dunne, the founder and executive director of the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI). Matt is a visionary leader who aims to bridge the opportunity gap in rural America by fostering inclusive, tech-enabled economies in small towns nationwide through CORI.

In this episode, we dive deep into Matt's journey, from his personal experiences growing up in a supportive rural community in Hartland, Vermont, to his pivotal role in empowering similar communities to thrive economically. We explore his efforts to counter the increasing divide between rural and urban areas since the Great Recession. Matt emphasizes the need to create a future-proof economy that transcends geographical boundaries.

Matt's compelling narrative takes us through his time at Google, his insights into the tech economy, and his work with CORI to establish a network of 38 communities in 24 states. The mission is to build robust economies for rural America. His ultimate goal is to expand this network to 90 communities by 2026, representing a critical mass of the rural population.

This conversation is not just about economic development; it's a testament to the power of local leadership, community collaboration, and the unyielding spirit of rural America. Join us as we unpack Matt's proudest moments, his take on the socio-economic challenges Vermont faces, and his unwavering commitment to ensuring that small-town America is not left behind in the tech revolution. It's an episode that promises to inspire and challenge our perspectives on the potential of rural innovation. Stay tuned for this transformative edition of View from the Top!

Recorded at The Hub CoWorks Podcast Studio, this show is presented by Bill Lucci, Program Director for The Hub CoWorks, and VTTSG Podcast Productions. The music used in this project is "Dirt Track" by Scott Holmes, which is available on the Free Music Archive.