Founded in October 2019, Heartland Forward is a non-profit think tank headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. Its research and policy analysis is centered on the 20 states that make up the U.S. "heartland," which includes states along the Mississippi River.

The think tank has a stated goal to generate $500 million in economic activity in the region by 2030. It plans to do this through applied research, community-driven programs, and policy discussions that center on it three main focus areas:

• Regional Competitiveness
• Talent Pipeline
• Health and Wellness

The regional competitiveness angle is largely concerned with training communities in this geographic area to use artificial intelligence (AI). It also works to expand access to high-speed internet in the region.

Heartland Forward's work includes the following 20 states:

• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Minnesota
• Wisconsin
• Michigan
• Iowa
• Nebraska
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Ohio
• Kentucky
• Missouri
• Kansas
• Oklahoma
• Texas
• Tennessee
• Alabama
• Mississippi
• Arkansas
• Louisiana

Examples of Workforce Initiatives

• Center for Investment Readiness (CIR)
  • A hub for research and program development aimed at increasing business investments in the heartland
  • Uses Heartland Forward's entrepreneurship and placemaking research
• rootEd Arkansas
  • Public-private partnership aimed at supporting rural high school students using college and career advisors
  • Partnership includes Heartland Forward, rootEd Alliance, and the Arkansas Department of Education
  • Places a strong emphasis on FAFSA completion
• Skilled Workforce
  • Helps create employer-aligned skilled trades pathways that reflect local workforce demands
  • Provides hands-on experiences to help K-12 students explore future career options
• Community Growth Program + Toolkit
  • Between 2021-2025, the Builders + Backers Idea Accelerator helped over 1,000 potential entrepreneurs launch over 300 business ventures in the region
  • Guides and other toolkit materials, based on lessons from the accelerator, aim to spur further entrepreneurship

Resources

Heartland Forward. (n.d.). About. https://heartlandforward.org/about/

Heartland Forward. (n.d.). Regional competitiveness. https://heartlandforward.org/regional-competitiveness/

Heartland Forward. (n.d.). Talent pipeline. https://heartlandforward.org/talent-pipeline/

Heartland Forward. (n.d.). What we do. https://heartlandforward.org/what-we-do/

Heartland Forward. (2019, October 22). Heartland Forward launches as "think and do" tank dedicated to U.S. Heartland [Press release]. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/heartland-forward-launches-as-think-and-do-tank-dedicated-to-us-heartland-300942358.html