MAKING THE RURAL

CONNECTION

Millennials in the Copper Corridor

Copper Corridor: Where are we?

Superior, Globe,

Miami, Kearny,

Hayden, Winkelman,

Mammoth, San

Manuel, Oracle

Historic mining

district; Freeport,

BHP, Capstone,

Carlotta, Resolution,

ASARCO;

Rural Challenges

Infrastructure

Economic Development Blight

Marketing

Lack of services Education

Workforce development Quality of life

Health and wellness

Attraction and retention

Housing

Rural Policy Forum Momentum

Regional collaboration

Regional anticipation

Regional implementation

31 stakeholders

from the Copper

Corridor!

9 communities

represented!

Rural by Choice Task Force

Key takeaways, easy wins, long term opportunities

Workforce Training

Arizona Trail

Sense of Place

Loss of Millennials

Social media

Blight mitigation

Walkability

“Customer service”

3 Regional Forums; 2 Social Media Workshops; Code Enforcement;

Blight Boot Camp; Millennial Engagement; Labor Force

Marketplace

The Economy of the Arizona Trail

Regional Labor Force Marketplace

Wine and Sushi “Foodie

and Millennial” Event

Millennials: Gotta love them!

Millennial Reputation?

• Most Technology Literate Generation

• Smart Phones Dominate

• Use the Web before Calling

• Multi-Media Focused

• Online vs. Books

• MUST HAVE Connectivity

• New Addiction Challenge

• World View – Networked

• Privacy Challenges

• Embrace Virtual Communities

Source: Salve Regina University, 2016

Lacking strong work ethic?

Unjustified sense of

entitlement?

Need to feel appreciated?

OR

Positive, can-do attitude?

Aim to make things

happen?

Hate indecision?

Rural Millennials

Rural Millennials vs. Urban Millennials

Rural:

Understand benefits of hard work

Ability to push themselves

High tolerance

Valuable skills

Are Millennials making the rural connection?

Why are they living rural? (slower pace, weather, family)

What creates their sense of place? (restaurants, entertainment, civic)

What keeps them rural? (economic opportunities, education, quality of life)

Connecting in the Copper Corridor

Copper Communities Food Hub Study

SGCEDC, CCEDC and LFAF partnership

Engage HS students (FFA, 4H, Culinary Arts and DECCA);

identify interest in small scale farming and agriculture.

Entrepreneurial value-added opportunities in business (goat-

milk soap, diet and nutrition specialist, personal fitness

trainer, etc.)

Connecting in the Copper Corridor

Kearny

4-H

Students

Connecting in the Copper Corridor

Millennial focused events

Sushi and Wine

Arts and Community Plays

Farmer’s Markets

Cobre Valley Youth Club

Superior Second Fridays

Globe-Miami Alive After Five

Connecting in the Copper Corridor

Sushi and Wine!

Millennial

networking!

Rural by Choice

Bingo!

Connecting in the Copper Corridor

Town of Superior Parks and Recreation Program

Resolution Copper, Town of Superior, Superior Unified School

District

Develop the capacity of youth leadership

Real world experience in government, develop skills, hands

on-practice

Procurement, bids, project scopes, grants, project

management, town council presentations, community support

plans, mentoring

Connecting in the Copper Corridor

Valle Del Sol Hispanic Leadership

Program

Copper Corridor Program est. 2015

7 rural partners

36 Alumni

25% Millennials!

First HLI Program to allow HS students

Capturing, Connecting, Creating

Capture and retain rural millennials

Connect with communities and businesses

Create sense of place and quality of life

Economic diversification

Population growth

Rural appreciation and pride!