By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The Bowling Green State University Center for Regional Development will host the 22nd annual State of the Region Conference from 8 a.m. to noon on Monday, March 11, in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.
Bringing together elected officials, economic developers, business leaders and regional stakeholders, this year’s conference will focus on improving digital and internet access to bolster economic and regional resilience.
Registration for the in-person event is closed. A free, public livestream will be available on the day of the conference.
This year’s speakers and panelists are set to include:
- BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers
- Dr. Nichole Fifer, director, BGSU Center for Regional Development
- Ohio Sen. Rob McColley, Ohio Senate District 1
- Angela Siefer, executive director, National Digital Inclusion Alliance
- Lucas Camuso-Stall, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Northwest Ohio RDIA, Lucas County Digital Equity and Accelerator Program
- Anna Miller, manager of digital equity and inclusion, BroadbandOhio
- Danielle Renckly, program coordinator, Indiana Rural Health Association and Upper Midwest Telehealth Resource Center
- Peter Voderberg, chief, Ohio Department of Development BroadbandOhio
- Adrienne Bradley, director of community impact, ProMedica
- David Zak, executive and economic development director, Crawford Partnership
- Tom Kroma, executive director, LISC Toledo
- Dr. Dawn Shinew, dean, BGSU College of Education and Human Development
Established in 1996, the BGSU CRD partners with and convenes stakeholders from communities and organizations to enhance the economic vitality of northwest Ohio. The center serves as a trusted and neutral capacity builder, data analytics provider, planning facilitator, program evaluator, and a bridge to BGSU faculty, students and resources.
The 2024 State of the Region Conference is made possible with support from AT&T, city of Bowling Green, BroadbandOhio, Buckeye Broadband, CNI, Fishbeck, Ohio Rural Broadband Association, Spectrum, Summit Financial Group, city of Toledo, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library and Wood County Economic Development Commission.
For more information, visit BGSU.edu/SOR or email crd@bgsu.edu.
