ITTA BENA, MS – America’s Rural Future: Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity, led by former U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and former Governor Chris Sununu (R-NH), announced today it will hold a field hearing in the Mississippi Delta region from Wednesday, March 4, through Thursday, March 5. The field hearing marks the second in a series of listening sessions dedicated to advancing prosperity and resilience in rural America, and will explore key issues like economic development, improving rural health outcomes, and advancing education.
Local voices will drive the conversation at the two-day event, “Advancing Economic Vitality, Health, and Educational Outcomes in the Delta Region,” which will include meetings in Itta Bena, Yazoo City, Leland and Quitman County. The bipartisan group’s listening sessions will deepen the commission’s understanding of the intersection of race and place in the Mississippi Delta, and its implications on social and economic opportunity.
The upcoming Mississippi trip follows the Commission’s initial field hearing in October 2025, which took place in Wheatland and Casselton, North Dakota, and on the White Earth Reservation in Mahnomen, Minnesota. During that first event, the Commission engaged with area farmers, tribal leaders, educators, and civic stakeholders to assess the complexities of how rural economies are adapting to demographic shifts, technological disruptions, and evolving economic realities. Insights and learnings gathered from the Mississippi Delta, along with those from North Dakota and Minnesota, will inform future events in other U.S. regions as this bipartisan initiative builds toward producing a comprehensive national rural strategy in 2027.
WHAT: Brookings-AEI Commission on U.S. Rural Prosperity Field Hearing on
Advancing Economic Vitality, Health, & Educational Outcomes in the Delta Region
WHO: Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Co-Chair, Former U.S. Senator from North Dakota
Gov. Chris Sununu, Co-Chair, Former Governor from New Hampshire
Benji Backer, Commission Member, CEO and Founder, Nature is Nonpartisan
William J. (Bill) Bynum, Commission Member, CEO, Hope Enterprise Corp./Hope Credit Union
Phil Chow, Commission Member, CEO, Humanitas AI
Charles Cotherman, Commission Member, Executive Director, Center for Rural Ministry at Grove City College
Valerie Nurr'araaluk Davidson, Commission Member, Executive Director, Yuut Elitnaurviat—People’s Learning Center, Inc.
Phil English, Commission Member, Co-Chairman, Government Relations Practice Group, ArentFox Schiff LLP
Thomas Halverson, Commission Member, CEO, CoBank
Keith Humphreys, Commission Member, Esther Ting Memorial Professor, Stanford University
Trent McKnight, Commission Member, Founder, AgriCorps
Noa Meyer, Commission Member, Partner and Chief Impact Officer, BDT & MSD Partners
Janti Soeripto, Commission Member, President and CEO, Save the Children US
Stephen Wilson, Commission Member, Retired General, United States Air Force
*AGENDA SUBJECT TO CHANGE*
Wednesday, March 4
WHAT: At Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) the Brookings-AEI Commission on
U.S. Rural Prosperity will host a 90-minute expert panel session to highlight the role of HBCUs and explore how small business, entrepreneurship, and the significant impact of faith play in community initiatives that drive workforce and economic development. Heitkamp and Sununu will moderate the discussion, which is open to the press and public.
Panel Experts:
· Corey Wiggins, Federal Co-Chairman, Delta Regional Authority
· Errick Simmons, Mayor of Greenville
· Desiree Norwood, Project Coordinator for Plan A Health and Mayor of Sunflower
WHERE: W.A. Butts Social Science Building Auditorium, Mississippi Valley State University
14000 US-82, Itta Bena, MS 38941
WHEN: 3:30pm – 5:00pm CT
