business backgrounder | economy
Entrepreneurs envision a future , then create it , Doyle said . She says it ’ s key to health and prosperity in rural communities .
Today , many of these opportunities are online — especially as remote work expands and urban families relocate to rural areas . The summit began with a panel focused on the workforce and digital equity , which included discussion of the new Washington in the Making website , and a growing internship portal at www . WashingtonWorkforcePortal . org .
Several of the state ’ s leading health care providers , including Drs . Nathan Schlicher , Katina Rue and Avantika Waring , discussed the incredible progress of telemedicine spurred in part by the Covid-19 pandemic . Waring shared one story of a patient with care providers located in three cities , on both sides of the Cascades . The patient at one point traveled more than 200 miles for an appointment . But biometric monitoring technology , telemedicine and collaboration allowed the patient to receive the appropriate care .
“ I just thought it was a really great example of how we were able to get this patient specialty care on several different levels , as well as chronic disease management ,” Waring said .
The first-day agenda also included updates from Jim Ogsbury of the Western Governors ’ Association who shared details of the “ Reimagining the Rural West Initiative ,” which focuses on opportunity , connectivity and community .
The day finished with a detailed discussion of what is needed to extend broadband to the state ’ s rural and unconnected communities . Leaders from Verizon , AT & T and the Washington State Broadband Office discussed the need for major federal funding around this challenge , as it ’ s expected to cost billions to connect rural communities to broadband .
Russ Elliott of the Washington State Broadband Office urged everyone to take the state Department of Commerce survey to pinpoint areas with the greatest need .
“ Take this test , then we ’ ll get together with providers and see if we can make the economics work to do something ,” Elliott said .
The second-day agenda kicked off with a discussion on child care and early learning , led by former state Rep . Kristine Reeves .
Dependable and affordable child care was a challenge before the pandemic , and now even more so . Statewide , 47 % of child care centers are at risk of closure .
“ They ’ re just hanging on ,” said Wilanne Ollila- Perry of the Opportunity Council . “ They need our attention .”
AWB President Kris Johnson discussed rural economic development with Commerce Director Lisa Brown and state Commissioner of Public
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