Texas is a predominantly urban state, with 87% of our people in federally defined ‘metropolitan’ areas. But that leaves three million Texans in rural areas, more than the entire populations of 21 states!
Rural Texas is a great place to live, but we lag behind urban Texas on most — if not all — of the usual indicators of well-being, including educational attainment, income and poverty, population growth, access to healthcare, modern telecommunications, and other important services as well as overall economic vitality.
Like other states, Texas has numerous agencies, organizations and programs that serve certain rural groups or rural needs. Foremost among those organizations are the Texas Rural Innovators sponsors. Why do these private, governmental and educational institutions that are already the main service providers enter into the Texas Rural Innovators collaboration?
Because they all recognize the need to serve rural Texans better . . . and they believe a collaborative framework amplifies the contributions of all.
