Economic Development Quarterly (EDQ) is seeking research manuscript proposals that will contribute to our understanding of the economic challenges and opportunities facing rural areas. Authors of the selected proposals will be invited to share their complete research findings at a two-day conference hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, and Citizens Research Council of Michigan in spring 2020 in Grand Rapids, MI. In addition, the presented manuscripts will be eligible for consideration for publication in an EDQ special issue on rural economic development planned for August 2021.