Rural Welcoming Initiative - Community Questions & Answers
The City of Independence and its community partners are participating in the Rural Welcoming Initiative to learn, listen, and grow together. This effort is not political, not about recruitment, and not about changing the character of the community. It is about strengthening connections, celebrating what makes Independence unique, and helping all residents succeed.
The City of Independence has been selected as one of just 10 rural communities nationwide to participate in Welcoming America’s Rural Welcoming Initiative (RWI) for 2026, a competitive national program supporting rural communities as they strengthen welcoming and inclusion efforts.
Welcoming America is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that works with communities across the country to foster environments where everyone can belong and thrive, including immigrants and newcomers. Through peer learning, research-based strategies, and technical support, the organization helps local governments and partners build trust, strengthen local economies, and celebrate diversity. More information is available at the Rural Welcoming Initiative website.
You can view our recent press release regarding the recognition.
Learn more about this recognition in the Questions and Answers.
- Why did Independence apply for the Rural Welcoming Initiative?
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The City of Independence, alongside community partners including Independence Main Street and the Independence Chamber of Commerce’s Diversity Task Force, applied for the Rural Welcoming Initiative to better understand how communities can intentionally support connection, belonging, and success for all residents.
The interest in applying grew from everyday conversations with community members—particularly those who are new to Independence—and from a shared desire among partners to learn how to better celebrate our differences, reduce barriers to participation, and strengthen community ties. While the City often serves as a first point of contact, this effort reflects a broader community interest in learning and growth.
- What does the City and its partners hope to gain from participating?
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Participation allows the City and its partners to learn from other rural communities across the country about:
- How to engage residents with different backgrounds and experiences
- How to recognize and celebrate diversity in ways that strengthen community pride
- How to better leverage the lived experiences of community members as assets
- How to help residents feel connected, informed, and supported as they live, work, and do business in Independence
This is a learning-focused initiative. There are no predetermined outcomes, mandates, or policy changes tied to participation.
- What role do community partners play in this initiative?
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Community partners are co-applicants, not observers. Independence Main Street and the Chamber’s Diversity Task Force bring perspectives that extend beyond City operations, including:
- Business and workforce engagement
- Community events and placemaking
- Relationship-building across neighborhoods and organizations
Together, partners are interested in learning how to celebrate diversity in ways that strengthen economic vitality, civic participation, and community pride - benefiting the entire community.
- Is the City or its partners trying to recruit immigrants or grow the population through this program?
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No. The Rural Welcoming Initiative is not a recruitment program, and neither the City nor its partners are attempting to attract or target any specific population.
The focus is on how we support the people who already live here—or who choose to move here on their own—and how we help them become successful, engaged members of the community. This includes longtime residents, new families, business owners, seniors, young people, and everyone in between.
- Does participation mean Independence is becoming a “sanctuary city”?
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No. Participation in the Rural Welcoming Initiative does not change local, state, or federal laws and does not designate Independence as a sanctuary city.
The initiative does not require communities to adopt immigration-related policies or enforcement positions. It focuses on community connection, communication, and inclusion—not law enforcement or political advocacy.
- Why is Welcoming America involved if immigration is not the focus?
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Welcoming America works with communities on a broad range of welcoming practices. While immigration is part of their national mission, the Rural Welcoming Initiative specifically supports rural communities in learning how to:
- Strengthen community connections
- Foster belonging and mutual respect
- Create environments where residents can thrive
Independence’s participation is centered on community learning and collaboration, not on immigration policy.
- What does “welcoming” mean in this context?
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For Independence, being welcoming means striving to ensure that all residents - regardless of age, race, religion, income, background, or length of time in the community - have opportunities to:
- Participate in community life
- Access information and resources
- Feel valued and respected
It is about recognizing that a strong community benefits from many perspectives and experiences.
- How will this work moving forward?
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The initiative provides structured learning opportunities, peer conversations, and guidance. As partners learn together, they will consider how insights might inform future conversations, collaborations, or improvements. Any future actions will be shaped locally and thoughtfully, with community input.
Bottom Line
The City of Independence and its community partners are participating in the Rural Welcoming Initiative to learn, listen, and grow together. This effort is not political, not about recruitment, and not about changing the character of the community. It is about strengthening connections, celebrating what makes Independence unique, and helping all residents succeed.