HAVANA, Ill. - Rural communities have so much to offer, yet the population continues declining across the state. City leaders in Canton, Illinois, have taken action to try to change the trend. Canton community members and all neighboring community members are invited to join the conversation to stop the exodus of the youngest and brightest talent from our rural communities.
Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development and University of Illinois Extension are hosting a meeting to address why adults 35 and under tend to leave their hometown and ways to reduce that trend.
On Wednesday, November 12, at 5:30 p.m., a discussion called “Reversing the Exodus” will be held at the Donaldson Community Center at 250 S Ave D, Canton, IL. The meeting will go over ways to reduce the population trend. The evening includes a panel discussion with 18 to 35-year-olds who will share their thoughts on why they have stayed, why they chose Canton, and ways to attract more young adults. A light meal will be served at 5:30 p.m.
Interested local city government officials, community leaders, business owners, and community members of all ages are encouraged to attend. This event will be an excellent opportunity to learn and share your valuable insights.
The presentation will include several research-based strategies that address the trend, with discussions on implementing the strategies.
To register to attend this free event, go to go.illinois.edu/ReverseExodusCanton and fill out the form. If you have questions on the program or need special accommodations to participate, contact Richard Proffer, Illinois Extension community and economic development educator at rproffer@illinois.edu or call him at 309-543-3308.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.