What does it really take to help families move out of poverty—especially in places that don't have big cities, big budgets, or big spotlights? In this episode of Rural Builds, host Rob Birdman Hephner sits down with Mark Farley of Empower Upper Cumberland to talk about what's working in rural Middle Tennessee—and why it matters.

Recorded on location at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, this conversation dives into how a 14-county, fully rural region serving more than 370,000 people is taking a proactive approach to poverty alleviation. Farley explains how Empower Upper Cumberland secured $25 million in state funding to pilot innovative programs aimed at helping 800 families—most of them single mothers—reach long-term economic stability.

A major focus of the episode is the "benefit cliff," a policy challenge that often leaves families worse off when they earn just a little more income. Farley shares how his team is working around these barriers while also pushing for smarter policy, all while helping families build skills, confidence, and a path toward better-paying work.

The results are powerful: early program graduates have increased household income by millions of dollars, with some families moving from poverty to six-figure earnings. More than statistics, this episode is about restoring belief, overcoming past trauma, and proving that when rural communities invest in people, real change is possible.

RURAL BUILDS is brought to you by Birdman Media™ and supported by the following sponsors;

Please visit their sites for more information and support them when you can.

Sitgreaves Community Development Corporation

Mountain Retreat Realty Experts

Rural employers don't just need workers—they need workers who can stay, grow, and help a business run better. In this episode of Rural Builds, host Rob "Birdman" Hepner talks with Jay Johnson, Rural Program Manager of Workforce Development at Local First Arizona, about a program that's putting real support (and real dollars) behind rural hiring.

Jay breaks down the Northern Arizona Good Jobs Network, a multi-county workforce initiative stretching from Kingman to Show Low/Holbrook, built in partnership with community colleges and training providers across five northern Arizona counties. The goal is simple: deliver the right training for each region—and then connect trained workers to employers who are ready to hire and retain them.

Here's the part rural business owners will want to hear: the program doesn't just offer free training for workers. It also offers employer incentives up to $5,000, including paid time-off for interviewing program participants, support for staff training (including soft skills), and stipends to help businesses strengthen operations. Jay explains how the reimbursement process works, why soft skills should be treated like ongoing practice—not a one-time seminar—and how employer involvement helps ensure the training actually matches real-world needs.

This episode is also time-sensitive. Jay shares key deadlines: Local First Arizona aims to get employers committed by March 1, with the grant wrapping up in June. If you're a rural Arizona employer who needs better staffing, better training, or a better hiring pipeline, this is a chance to get in while the support is still on the table.

If you are a business, don't hesitate, click this link NOW - https://localfirstaz.com/good-jobs

RURAL BUILDS is brought to you by Birdman Media™ and supported by the following sponsors;

Please visit their sites for more information and support them when you can.

Sitgreaves Community Development Corporation

Mountain Retreat Realty Experts