The Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity is launching 2026 with a statewide virtual kickoff in February, where we will introduce our full 2026 events calendar, share highlights from our annual report and outline how we continue to strengthen governance, capacity and partnerships across rural Michigan.
This kickoff will serve as the starting point for a year of in-person summits, regional convenings and learning opportunities running from April through October. Dates, locations and registration details for those events will be released following the February kickoff.
We encourage you to register for the February kickoff and sign up for email updates so you do not miss upcoming events and opportunities.
Our events bring together local leaders, state and regional partners and resource providers from across Michigan who share a common goal: strengthening the capacity, connections and resilience of rural communities.
Whether this is your first time joining us or you’ve been part of the network since the beginning, these events serve as both a reflection of our collective progress and a spark for the work still ahead.
Thank you for being part of this growing movement to bridge people, ideas and resources — because when rural Michigan thrives, all of Michigan thrives.
Date: Feb. 17, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. – noon
Location: Virtual
Event Summary: Join the Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP) for our February virtual kickoff as we launch our 2026 efforts. This statewide Zoom webinar will introduce the full 2026 ORP event calendar, highlight key findings from our annual report and share updates on how ORP is strengthening governance and capacity across rural Michigan.
This is an informational webinar designed for community leaders, partners and anyone engaged in rural development. No preparation or participation is required. Simply join, listen and get oriented to what is ahead in 2026.
Date: November 12-13, 2025
Location: North Central Michigan College, Petoskey, Michigan
Event Summary: The Rural Readiness Network Convening is a statewide gathering designed to bring together network participants, community leaders, and resource providers to collaborate on innovative solutions for rural prosperity. This event will serve as a platform for knowledge-sharing, networking, and strategic planning to address the evolving, complex challenges and opportunities facing rural communities.
Date: October 17, 2025
Location: Kingston Community Center, 1951 S. Kingston Road, Deford, Michigan 48729
Event Summary: This event brings together community leaders from across the Thumb for a day-long summit focused on building capacity and utilizing community economic development tools to build a prosperous and resilient future. The day’s agenda builds upon the Thumb Prosperity Summit hosted in Bad Axe in October 2024 and the statewide Rural Futures Summit hosted in Lansing in April and will feature presentations, spotlights, resource panels and networking.
Date: September 8-10, 2025
Location: Grand Traverse Region, Michigan
Event Summary: The Grand Traverse Region Rural Readiness & Resiliency Summit is a multi-day event focused on advancing climate resilience across rural communities in Northern Michigan. This collaborative gathering will bring together stakeholders, service providers, and local leaders to explore actionable solutions addressing climate change, food systems, infrastructure, and community preparedness. The Office of Rural Prosperity is teaming up with Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation and Interlochen Public Radio for this event.
Download Grand Traverse Region Rural Readiness & Resiliency Summit Event Program
View the Grand Traverse: Region Rural Readiness and Resiliency event recap
Date: July 22, 2025
Location: NMU Northern Center, Marquette, MI
Event Summary: The Office of Rural Prosperity is hosting a UP Rural Futures Summit in Marquette, MI, drawing from and expanding on content from the statewide summit held in April ‘25. This event will provide rural leaders, community organizations, and policymakers with insights that shape the future of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Topics will include climate adaptation, inclusive economic development, rural infrastructure, and workforce development, with a mix of case studies, resource panels, and networking opportunities. Attendees will gain actionable strategies, hear from experts, and connect with peers working toward a more resilient and prosperous rural Michigan.
Download UP Rural Futures Summit Event Program
View the Upper Peninsula Rural Futures Summit recap
This two-day event is dedicated to exploring the future of rural Michigan and preparing for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. This convening is designed to bring together key stakeholders from across the state to engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and collaborate on solutions that will shape the future of our rural communities.
