Rural Business

Beyond boom and bust: Building sustainable growth in rural towns

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Take it to the bank. A rural board meeting somewhere is grappling with the question of growth. These passionate discussions happen constantly in small towns. On one side are those who do not want their community to become a metropolis. On the other are those who want to see new infrastructure, services and economic opportunities. Every community changes. Look back 10 years … [Read more...] about Beyond boom and bust: Building sustainable growth in rural towns

Redefining the ‘small town mentality’: Matt Dunne on burgeoning rural digital economies

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Recession, automation and globalization have created a divide between the economies of urban and rural places. Together these forces have led to population loss and “brain drain” as college graduates strapped with student loan debt moved to bigger towns with more job opportunities. That too becomes a catch-22 — less local talent means less opportunity for entrepreneurship and … [Read more...] about Redefining the ‘small town mentality’: Matt Dunne on burgeoning rural digital economies

A common-sense approach to reinvigorating small-town America

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By Emily Rappleye As a small town revitalization expert, Deb Brown is filling vacant storefronts in small towns across America. Her recipe for success is simple: Involve locals, break the rules, talk about ideas, and no matter what, do not form another committee. “Kill the committees! What do you need a committee for? Kill them all. Just go do the work,” Brown told Ben … [Read more...] about A common-sense approach to reinvigorating small-town America

Business leader points to rural-urban interdependence

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The rugged independence of rural life provides a fertile environment for entrepreneurship, but rural economies depend on more than just sheer grit and determination to succeed. Rural areas make extensive use of government programs. Rural broadband is partly made possible by a federal subsidy. More healthcare services are available thanks to a $400 million per […] … [Read more...] about Business leader points to rural-urban interdependence