June 18, 2025 – Small Nation Founder & CEO Jason Duff and team member Ann Donnelly Hamilton will travel to Great Falls, Montana, next week to attend the 2025 Rural Retreat: Rural Recharged, hosted by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

The three-day gathering, held in the city known as the Electric City, will bring together over 400 leaders in rural and tribal economic development from across the country. Designed as a cross-sector exchange, the retreat is focused on sharing practical strategies, ideas, and tools to accelerate economic progress in rural America.

Jason Duff will also take the Main Stage as a featured speaker during a session focused on how to bring inspiration and best practices back to local communities. He will be joined in the discussion by Jonathan Stone, Program Officer for Revitalization Services at Main Street America, and Marci Goodwin, Co-Founder of SmartStart Business Development.

The Small Nation team at the 2024 IEDC Annual Conference in Denver.

“This is a great opportunity to share what we’ve learned in Bellefontaine, Ohio, while also listening and learning from the experiences of rural leaders across the country,” said Duff. “The collaboration happening at this retreat will help shape the future of small towns like ours.”

The Rural Retreat was designed by rural leaders, for rural leaders, and includes participation from practitioners, public servants, CDFIs, entrepreneurs, educators, tourism professionals, and advocates for rural success. Sessions will cover a range of topics from business development and housing to placemaking, workforce strategies, and inclusive growth in small communities.