The Center on Rural Innovation works with small communities to develop technology-based economic development strategies through consulting, workforce development programs, broadband advocacy and entrepreneurship initiatives. In addition to Fulton, Maryville and Rolla were selected following what the Center on Rural Innovation described as a highly competitive application process. Since launching its Rural Innovation Network in 2017, the Center on Rural Innovation has expanded to 43 communities across 26 states. The announcement comes weeks after the partial collapse of a downtown Fulton building that disrupted plans for a new coffee shop and displaced residents and businesses. "The only thing structure anybody's talked about is a parking lot downtown,” Weinger said.