Rural West

The Rural West Initiative explores issues of the less populated areas of the North American West – places whose natural beauty and heritage are matched only by the challenges they face. These issues, such as access to economic opportunity, health care, education, and housing, often get less attention than they deserve. This is why the Bill Lane Center has made it a priority to study rural communities in the first place. How did we initially approach the difficulties faced by rural areas? First we listened, then we presented research on the problems, and now we are finding solutions. 

The Rural West Initiative is made possible by generous support from the Spencer F. and Cleone P. Eccles Foundation.

Photo of an old fence in Southwest New Mexico


 

The Bill Lane Center team at Rural West 2023

  • Rural West
On Friday, March 31 and Saturday, April 1, 2023, the Bill Lane Center for the American West convened its 9th Annual Eccles Family Rural West Conference in Fort Collins, Colorado. Bringing together academics, practitioners, and experts on the urgent…
  • Center News
  • Happenings
  • Rural West
For rural Westerners with poor access to health care, telemedicine might be the answer
  • Center News
  • Happenings
  • Rural West
  • Topics of the West

On Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Justin Farrell appeared via Zoom at the Bill Lane Center to discuss his new book, "Billionaire Wilderness: The Ultra-Wealthy and the Remaking of the American West." Video of Farrell's talk is now avail

  • Center News
  • Research Notes
  • Rural West

By Dennis Berens and Phil Polakoff in a special editorial to The Omaha World-Herald.