Save the Date:
2026 Rural
Renaissance
Roadshow
At the Data Center Crossroads:
Land, Energy, Water, & The Future of Rural Power
November 4 – 6, 2026 | Decatur, Alabama
Save the Date
Mark your calendars for November 4-6, 2026, and join us in Decatur, Alabama, “at the Data Center Crossroads”. AI data centers have become a kitchen table issue, especially in small towns and rural counties. Their impact on energy infrastructure and affordability is one part of a broader picture that encompasses land use, energy, water, and economic development in ways that will help – or hurt – our quality of life for generations to come. This November, come together as community, tech, energy, and policy leaders to talk about the hard questions and explore the future of rural power.
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Suggestion Box
Recommend a speaker, topic for a session or workshop, or a field trip activity for the 2026 Roadshow!
2026 Roadshow Topics
This year’s Roadshow will cover the topics below and more!
Affordability and Infrastructure
Local Control vs. Federalization
Stewardship and Land Use Planning
Economic Development
Countdown to the Roadshow!
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LOCATIONS
2026 Venue
Decatur, Alabama
Cook Museum of Natural Science
Located in downtown Decatur, Alabama, this year’s Rural Renaissance Roadshow will be held at the Cook Museum of Natural Science. With a motto that “life is amazing,” the Cook Museum was founded by John Cook, Sr. who, in 1968, first shared his professional insect collection with the public. Today, the museum is a state-of-the-art institution with an abundance of immersive experiences that teach people to understand and love our amazing world. Just a few steps away you’ll find great places to shop, eat, and enjoy the local beauty.
Discounted Room Block at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Decatur Riverfront
Book your stay at the DoubleTree using the link below for the Roadshow discount! You are also more than welcome to call the hotel directly and ask to book under the “Rural Renaissance Roadshow.”
Nestled against the Tennessee River and well-known for its breakfast buffet, this hotel is just a 5-minute drive to our primary venue, The Cook Museum of Natural Science. Book by October 9 to get our guaranteed rate at just $130/night.
Become a Sponsor
Groundswell’s core values include respect, integrity, excellence, taking care of each other, driving transformative change, and serving people and communities with joy. We believe that service is a privilege, not a chore, and our team works with and for people in the communities we serve to create resilient systems and transformative change.
2025 Roadshow Recordings
LATEST NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS
Call for Presenters: At the Data Center Crossroads
Today, I’m writing to invite you to submit your ideas and recommendations for presenters and sessions for this year’s Rural Renaissance Roadshow. Local control requires local leadership, and it’s a critical time for us to work together as neighbors and colleagues to pick our paths well at the data center crossroads.
Decatur, Alabama – “The River City” – to Host the 2026 Rural Renaissance Roadshow: At the Data Center Crossroads
Last time I wrote to you all, I shared that this year’s Roadshow topic is “At the Data Center Crossroads.” AI data centers have become a kitchen table issue – especially in the small towns and rural counties where data center developers are locking up hundreds of acres of potential data center sites.
At the Data Center Crossroads
AI data centers have become a kitchen table issue, especially in the small towns and rural counties where data center developers are locking up hundreds of acres of potential data center sites.
Opening Celebration of Local Leadership, Rural Power, and Tribal Sovereignty
Two weeks ago, Groundswell hosted our third annual Rural Renaissance Roadshow in Auburn and Opelika, Alabama. Themed “Resilience by Design," The Roadshow brought together 200+ people involved in resilience projects across East Alabama, West Georgia, the greater Southeast, and communities nationwide.
Rural Renaissance Roadshow 2025: Building Resilience and Getting Good Stuff Done Together
The countdown is on! In just 18 days, rural leaders, innovators, and community champions will gather in Opelika, Alabama for the Rural Renaissance Roadshow (Nov. 10–12, 2025) – and we want YOU to be a part of it!
Invitation from the CEO: A Call to Unity
It’s a tough time to talk about unity, but that word has been on my heart since the beginning of this year. We all know “a house divided cannot stand,” but how can we begin to put the pieces back together again?
Groundswell’s Rural Renaissance Roadshow to Kick-Off with Celebration of Rural Communities Featuring Nashville Musician Jervis Campbell
The Auburn/Opelika community will play host to an exciting kickoff event as acclaimed Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jervis Campbell takes the stage at Auburn University’s Alfa Pavilion on November 10, setting the tone for Groundswell’s 2025 Rural Renaissance Roadshow.
You’re Invited!
This fall, rural leaders from across the country will gather in Opelika, Alabama, for an unforgettable experience of connection, collaboration, and community power. The 2025 Rural Renaissance Roadshow, hosted by Groundswell, is more than a conference – it’s a catalyst for action. Join more than 200 local leaders working to design resilient futures rooted in local leadership and lasting impact.
What do a Farmer, an Investment Banker, and a Former Diplomat Have in Common?
Quite a lot, as it turns out, including a resolute commitment to rebuild Rural America, which they’ll explore together as the lunchtime keynote panel at this year’s Roadshow.
Register Now: Webinar on Community-Driven Resilience Planning
Groundswell is excited to share big news for rural communities in Indiana. As a technical partner with Solar Opportunities Indiana (SOI), Indiana University’s (IU) Environmental Resilience Institute (ERI) is supporting rural towns in Indiana to develop solar and battery storage projects eligible for $16 million in funding from a grant stewarded by SOI.