The COVID-19 pandemic is inflicting economic pain on communities across the country. With most colleges and universities operating in virtual mode, college towns, along with the local and regional economies built around them, are particularly vulnerable. The economic reverberations are already being felt, and with a vaccine still months or even years away, the leaders of college-town communities are being forced to confront the long-term effects on their student-dependent economies.
The words of Albert Einstein remind us that “In the midst of every crisis lies a great opportunity.” The pandemic presents a chance for local and regional leaders to reimagine and diversify their economies. College towns by their nature are hubs of innovation, and the entrepreneurial spirit that permeates these communities can be leveraged into new jobs and growth even in these unprecedented times.
In this session, national experts on innovation, economic development, and entrepreneurship will engage in a moderated discussion on the future of college towns and the economies that depend on them.
