State representatives, local lawmakers and industry leaders will gather to discuss the biggest wins and toughest challenges facing Texas’ rural communities.
WHAT: Members of the media are invited to attend and cover “The Future of Rural Texas,” a free in-person and virtual event happening in Lubbock Nov. 17-18 and hosted by The Texas Tribune and Texas Tech University. The event will showcase conversations with lawmakers, stakeholders and community leaders on big issues that matter to rural Texans as leaders in the community discuss what's next for education, broadband connection, healthcare, the rural economy and more.
Speakers include:
- State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock
- Ginger Nelson, mayor of Amarillo
- Tray Payne, mayor of Lubbock
- Lawrence Schovanec, president, Texas Tech University
WHEN: 4-8 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 17); 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday (Nov. 18). For a full list of session times and subjects, go to the Texas Tribune website.
WHERE:
- IN PERSON: The event will take place in person in Lubbock.
- Thursday, Nov. 17: the event will be at the Allen Theatre in the Student Union Building.
- Friday, Nov. 18: the event will take place at McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center.
- VIRTUALLY: This event will be simultaneously streamed for virtual attendees at texastribune.org. It will also be available to watch on demand afterward at texastribune.org/events.
EVENT: RSVP here to attend in person or virtually. Members of the media, please email press@texastribune.org for inquires.
The Future of Rural Texas event is made possible with the support of generous sponsors. Thanks to our presenting sponsor, Texas Rural Funders.
Major sponsors include Baylor Scott & White Health Plan; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas; BNSF Railway; Capital Farm Credit; First Care Health Plans, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute; Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.; Raise Your Hand Texas; Texas 2036; Texas A&M Health; Texas Agricultural Council; Texas Association of Counties; Texas Association of Dairymen; Texas Electric Cooperatives; Texas Farm Bureau; Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; Texas State Technical College; and Water Grows.
Supporting sponsors include Association of Rural Communities in Texas; Corteva; Independent Cattlemen's Association of Texas; Plains Cotton Growers, Inc.; Texas Agricultural Cooperative Council; Texas Agricultural Land Trust; Texas Association of Community Colleges; Texas Association of Mid-Size Schools; Texas Association of Rural Schools; Texas Cattle Feeders Association; Texas Corn Producers; Texas Cotton Ginners' Association; Texas Citrus Mutual; Texas Forestry Association; Texas Grain and Feed Association; Texas Grain Sorghum Producers; Texas International Produce Association; Texas Organization of Rural & Community Hospitals (TORCH); Texas Poultry Federation; Texas Rural Health Association; Texas Tech University System; Texas Veterinary Medical Association; The Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association; Texas Wheat Producers Board and Association and T.L.L Temple Foundation.
Media partners include HPPR; KAMC and EverythingLubbock.com; KAMU; M. Roberts Media with Longview News-Journal, Tyler Morning Telegraph and Victoria Advocate; San Antonio Report and Texas Tech Public Media
CONTACT: Allison Hirth
Senior Director of Media and Public Affairs, Office of Communications & Marketing,
Texas Tech University
allison.hirth@ttu.edu
(806) 742-2136
