3/9/22

The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan is proud to provide underwriting support for a new online media project - Rural Innovation Exchange (RIX). RIX, a venture of Issue Media Group, will focus on the innovation, talent, entrepreneurship, social innovation, and community development taking place in rural communities across Michigan, including northeast Michigan. These stories will feature the work of rural talent and content creators.

RIX focuses on what’s next for rural places in Michigan. Each week readers will see feature stories, profiles, news items, and original photography highlighting innovative entrepreneurs, talented people, dedicated organizations, and devoted community-builders. Additionally, RIX will aim to identify and lift up innovative people leading impactful work in Michigan, with the intent of strengthening the work of people in rural areas and fostering a deeper sense of connection.  

RIX will convene quarterly advisory “listening” sessions that will include a cross-section of community thought leaders, entrepreneurs, foundations, developers, non-profits, artists, and grassroots organizations to inform coverage and strengthen the network of organizations interested in advancing rural communities.

“We are honored to support this effort focused on rural communities, and we look forward to another great media source that aims to change some of the longstanding dialogue of those communities, shedding a positive light on all the great things happening in our rural areas,” says CFNEM Marketing Director Christine Hitch.

"Issue Media Group is excited to launch this effort focused on rural communities in Michigan," says Brian Boyle, co-CEO of Issue Media Group. "There is real transformation and talent-led energy taking hold in rural Michigan that is woefully underreported. We look forward to documenting the story of community change, new businesses, emerging places, and the passion of people driving change. Drawing from our work in 18 locations in Michigan, and around the country, we are looking forward to telling the rural story both locally and nationally. Rural Innovation Exchange will be part of our statewide SecondWave network connecting the rural story to a significant audience in Michigan.” 

Other partners in this effort include rural Michigan community foundations, Connected Nation Michigan, MSHDA, MSU Extension, Michigan Center for Rural Health, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Michigan Municipal League, Council of Michigan Foundations, Michigan Downtown Association and Michigan Fitness Foundation.

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