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REAL Co-Lab

What if the next big economic impact isn’t coming out of Silicon Valley—but from a small town in Montana, a tribal community in North Dakota, or a rural main street in Georgia? 
 
At REAL Co-Lab, we believe rural towns are not just surviving—they’re thriving through ingenuity, adaptation, and community. Too often, rural stories go untold, their data goes uncollected, and their solutions go unsupported. 

REAL Launch Party Group photos.

That’s where we come in.

We partner with rural-serving organizations, state and local governments, policymakers, and community leaders to turn insight into action—through research, storytelling, and hands-on collaboration. 

Take the next step—connect with our director to request a service today.

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Our Services

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Market Research & Data Analysis

Partnering with researchers around the country, REAL Co-Lab digs deep into rural economies to uncover trends, challenges, and opportunities. Our research is designed to inform real-world decisions. 

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Pilot Programs & Field Experiments

We don’t just study rural innovation—we explore it. From testing new funding models to exploring workforce solutions, we co-design pilots that are rooted in local context leveraging cutting edge solutions with the goal to scale for impact. 

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Project Consulting & Implementation

Need more than a plan? We can roll up our sleeves and help you bring your vision to life. Whether it’s launching a new initiative or refining an existing one, we’re in it with you from start to finish. 

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Policy Briefs & White Papers 

We translate complex research into clear, compelling insights that move decision-makers. Our policy work helps rural voices shape the systems that shape them. 

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Storytelling & Narrative Development 

Data tells the story, but sometimes not in a way that everyone understands. We help share complex data outcomes for the average citizen to inform, inspire action, and attract investment. 

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Capacity-Building & Convenings

From workshops to multi-day summits, we create spaces where rural changemakers can learn, connect, and grow. Because transformation doesn’t happen in isolation- it takes a village! 

🤝 Who We Work With 🤝

  • Rural-serving nonprofits, advocacy groups, and funders
  • Local, state, and tribal governments, leaders, and policymakers
  • Educational institutions
  • Community development organizations
  • Ecosystem builders 

🌱 Why It Matters 🌱

Rural communities are full of potential—but they need partners who understand their complexity and believe in their future. At REAL Co-Lab, we’re here to listen, learn, and build alongside.