How Heartland Forward is turning insights into action across 20 U.S. states, the third largest economy in the world
Mastercard Strive ―
Community leaders, journalists, and policymakers trying to understand what's happening in America's heartland often face a basic problem: the data is scattered, hard to find, or simply doesn't exist.
Heartland Forward's "Impact Spotlight" highlights supporting inclusive growth across 20 U.S. states, presented at the "Pulse of the Heartland" event.
Community leaders, journalists, and policymakers trying to understand what's happening in America's heartland often face a basic problem: the data is scattered, hard to find, or simply doesn't exist in one place.
The heartland — the 20 U.S. states Heartland Forward defines as the region — represents the third largest economy in the world, yet it's frequently left out of the national conversation on economic trends, talent, and innovation. That gap between the region's scale and its visibility is what Pulse of the Heartland was built to close.
With support from Mastercard Strive USA, Heartland Forward has developed Pulse of the Heartland into a go-to resource that tracks, analyzes, and shares data on entrepreneurship, workforce dynamics, and economic momentum across the region — combining public datasets, leadership interviews, and partner tools that surface insights that would otherwise be hard to find.
We sat down with Angie Cooper, the president of Heartland Forward, to talk about what Pulse of the Heartland was designed to change, what's shifted since launch, and where the biggest opportunities lie for strengthening economic growth across the heartland.
Angie Cooper emphasizes how better data helps communities understand and build on their unique strengths.
What was this work designed to change?
Pulse of the Heartland is a resource for policymakers, journalists, and community leaders focused on economic trends and the latest news in the heartland. Designed to elevate issues related to regional competitiveness, talent pipeline development, and health and wellness. Pulse tracks, analyzes, and shares data, insights and research across the 20 states Heartland Forward defines the heartland — the third largest economy in the world.
What shifted as a result?
Pulse of the Heartland has served as a resource for communities across the heartland seeking to better understand economic trends and regional dynamics. By providing accessible data on economic trends, workforce dynamics, and spotlighting economic success stories in the heartland, Pulse of the Heartland highlights the leadership, innovation, and drive shaping the heartland, offering insights and inspiration to those across the region and the nation.
Why does this change matter for small businesses?
Small businesses are anchors of local economies across the heartland, so lowering the barrier to information and data, highlighting best practices in vibrant communities, like on the Entrepreneurship Data Hub, can be crucial to giving heartland businesses a leg up.
What has this work revealed about the importance of economic data in the heartland?
Access to real-time, localized economic data empowers leaders to make more informed decisions, identify their communities’ unique strengths, and create strategies for long-term growth. Through Pulse of the Heartland, we’ve seen how accessible, timely information can support stronger decision-making, and we will continue expanding the platform with new data, insights, and voices from across the region.
What does Pulse of the Heartland make visible that was previously harder to see?
Pulse of the Heartland helps bring community stories to light through data. By making economic and workforce indicators easier to explore, the platform reveals trends, opportunities, and areas of momentum that might otherwise be difficult to identify. In doing so, it provides a clearer picture of what is driving success across the heartland. Through our Guest Voices series, we are sitting down with community leaders, policymakers, and business leaders to hear directly from them on what data and insights better inform their decisions.
How can better data translate into more effective action on the ground?
Better data helps turn insights into action. When economic trends and opportunities are more visible, communities can better understand what is working and how they can build on their unique strengths. Sharing those insights across the region creates opportunities for communities to learn from one another and pursue strategies that support long-term growth.
Where do you see the biggest opportunity to strengthen economic growth across the heartland?
The heartland's greatest opportunity lies in unlocking the potential that already exists across the region. Communities are rich with talent, innovation, and unique competitive advantages. By identifying those strengths and creating the conditions for them to thrive, the heartland can continue to drive growth for years to come.
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