National Rural Transportation Conference Held in Duluth

On August 17 – 19, the National Rural Transportation Peer Learning Conference was held in Duluth, Minnesota.  The conference attracted over 160 participants from regional development organizations across the nation.

A major highlight of the conference included a video address from Congressman James L. Oberstar (D-MN), Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which he produced specially for the conference.  View the Congressman’s address at www.ruraltransportation.org/Conferences/videos.

Other focal points included plenary sessions on economic competitiveness, climate change, and transportation and land use, as well as great breakout sessions that highlighted peer learning and networking.  Speaker presentations from plenary and breakout sessions are available on the conference website at www.nado.org/conferences/archive/trans.php?con_id=82&content=con_presentations.

Mobile workshops included views of the Arrowhead region’s transportation assets, including touring the North Shore Scenic Drive, a harbor cruise and view of the Port of Duluth, visit to Cirrus Design’s manufacturing facility, and walking tour of downtown Duluth. 

Excellence in Regional Transportation Award winners were recognized in a special conference reception and a report, available at www.ruraltransportation.org/files/excbook08.pdf.

All conference sessions and mobile workshops have been approved for AICP Certification Maintenance credits.

For more information, contact Program Manager Carrie Kissel at ckissel@nado.org or 202.624.8829.