ROLLING RURAL: A Podcast from the Illinois Rural Transit Assistance Center. Episode one with Christopher Merrett

In our first episode host John Bannon introduces us to Dr. Christopher Merrett, Director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs and Dean of Economic Development and Innovation at Western Illinois University. Dr. Merritt has a PhD in geography from the University of Iowa and has authored or collaborated on more than 100 publications in the area of rural community and economic development.We discuss trends in rural transit and economic development, as well as what can rural transit agencies and grantees do to thrive and survive moving forward.