Rural and Regional Development
We explore and explain the theory and methods related to the economic development of rural America; the role of agriculture in regional development; federal, state, and local governments in the development process; quantitative methods for regional development and impact analysis; spatial considerations in regional development; and housing transportation and labor markets.
Faculty and graduate students study the relationship between energy and food insecurity in rural America, the evaluation of the welfare impacts of food stamps on rural households, the targeting of social assistance program strategies, and the local and regional economic impact of rural interventions and programs.
Graduate students have the opportunity to work on cross-disciplinary projects and partner with numerous private-sector professionals and organizations.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
In 2015, the United Nations adopted a global framework for sustainable development focusing on 17 SDGs. The SDGs call for all countries to address complex, global problems covering all aspects of sustainability such as health and well-being, equality, clean water, and climate change.
Virginia Tech is tracking progress toward achieving the United Nation’s SDGs across three categories; research, outreach, and stewardship. View the progress here.
