Rural Workforce Forum

Columbus, Georgia

On June 26th, 2025, the inaugural Rural Workforce Forum was hosted by Columbus State University in Columbus, GA. This event brings together:

 

  • Community leaders
  • Government officials
  • State legislators
  • Workforce development professionals
  • Educators (college and K-12)
  • Industry Leaders
  • Manufacturers

Purpose

By serving as a collaborative platform for open dialogue, this event developed strategic, actionable plans to ensure rural communities remain competitive in the evolving AI-driven economy.

How should we modernize education to prepare students for STEM careers?

How can we build and update existing recruitment strategies to attract and retain tech talent in rural communities?

What are the current pain points for Columbus’ rural workforce?

Photos

Presenter Dr. Loretta Daniels kicks off the forum discussion
Attendees discuss topics at Columbus Rural Workforce Summit
Attendee stands to introduce a topic of discussion
Attendee discusses forum topics with Dr. Loretta Daniels