Registration now open for the AscendRural 2026 National Summit
Two-Day Event to Connect Innovation and Rural Communities to Improve Outcomes
STAPLES, MINN. — January 12, 2026 — AscendRural announces registration is now open for the AscendRural 2026 National Summit, taking place March 31–April 1, 2026, at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel in Eagan, Minn. The two-day national gathering will bring together innovators, community leaders, educators, policymakers, and advocates committed to advancing well-being across rural America.
Guided by the theme “Bridging Innovation and Rural Communities to Improve Well-being,” the summit will highlight key impact areas from AscendRural’s 2025 pilot work, including youth mental health, broadband connectivity, earning trust in rural communities and support for first responders and seniors. Through panels, showcases and networking, participants will explore practical strategies and emerging technologies that strengthen health, connectivity, infrastructure, social cohesion and community resilience.
“We’re creating a space where ideas meet action,” said Melissa Kjolsing, Managing Director of AscendRural. “This summit will bring together people who care deeply about rural communities and are ready to share experiences, learn from one another, and leave with actionable ideas that can drive meaningful change in their own regions.”
Attendees will meet innovators and community leaders shaping the future of rural life, share stories of rural success and resilience that inform and inspire impact, and gain actionable insights and renewed energy to strengthen local and regional initiatives.
The summit will feature speakers including:
Dr. Hollie Mackey, Chief Executive Officer of the NSF AgTech Engine in North Dakota, a leader in advancing food security through agricultural technology and empowering Tribal Nations, small farmers and rural communities through scalable, localized food systems.
Matt Dunne, Founder and Executive Director of the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), a national nonprofit advancing economic prosperity in rural America through entrepreneurship, rural connectivity and tech job creation.
Charles Marohn, bestselling author and founder and president of Strong Towns, a nonprofit organization focused on sustainable community development. Mr. Marohn will sign copies of his book, Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity.
In addition to educational programming, the summit will include a technology showcase and networking to offer attendees multiple opportunities to connect and collaborate. Registration is now open, with early-bird pricing available through January 31, 2026. To learn more and register, visit https://sourcewell.co/Summit26.
AscendRural is a technology-driven innovation hub dedicated to boosting well-being in rural America. Initiated by Sourcewell, AscendRural brings together local leaders and the innovation community to fund and facilitate technology pilots that address accessibility, availability, and affordability—while honoring what makes rural communities unique.
Learn more at www.ascendrural.org.