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 anywhere and the amount of change may surprise you. The question is whether that change has been positive. If a community is growth-minded and focused on improving its economy, programs and services; and helping its people – particularly its young people – thrive, there’s a greater chance the change has been good. However, if there is apathy or too many obstacles to growth, the local economy can stagnate, and the change manifests as deterioration of buildings, infrastructure, businesses and optimism.
For a community to thrive, it must grow. The U.S. remains a land of opportunity boasting the strongest economy in the world and offering the greatest quality of life in history. The freedom to acquire property, establish businesses and build them up to provide for employees and their families is central to the economy. It creates vibrant communities that grow at a rate sufficient to provide opportunities for their residents, including youth who wish to stay.
The question then becomes how to grow. Leaders are wise to be leery of the golden goose promising to solve all economic problems and poised to change a rural town overnight. My family recently drove to Logan Springs – the former home of a mining community in southeastern Nevada. It existed briefly in the late 1800s after silver ore was found in the hills. The town boasted several buildings and a post office, growing to 300 people seemingly overnight. Then mining currents changed, and the town quickly turned to dust. Little remains today where Logan, Nevada once stood. Situations like these dot our history, where a single industry or company makes or breaks a town.
The best way to grow is from within. This makes sense when realizing most opportunities in America come from small businesses. The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council reports that 62% of net job creation in the U.S. has come from small businesses since 1995. And “small businesses created 1.6 million net new jobs in 2019, with firms employing fewer than 20 workers generating 1.1 million net new jobs.”
As growth comes up in small towns, my hope is leaders ask how to support the people who are already there. Questions like these are useful:
“How can we support existing small businesses?”
“How can we help entrepreneurs start new ones that will enhance the community?”
“What obstacles can we help remove?”
“What does the rising generation need in training and opportunity to generate more homegrown success?”
That mindset will allow more rural communities to look back 10 years from now with gratitude at what they see – a flourishing town that still feels like home.
Rural Business in the News
Here are some rural business stories that caught my attention.
Greenhouse celebrates 45 years of poinsettia production
Business North Carolina profiles a family-owned greenhouse in Stokes County, North Carolina, marking 45 years of cultivating poinsettias. The business, known for its diverse selection of poinsettias, also grows other plants like geraniums and ferns. With no plans to slow down, the family business is expanding and continues its tradition of providing high-quality plants to the community.
Hospital expands rural healthcare access
Louisville Public Media reports that Rush Memorial Hospital in Rushville, Indiana, is using innovative approaches to address healthcare gaps in rural communities. By utilizing paramedics for home care, operating a mobile clinic, and leveraging telehealth, the hospital aims to improve access to primary care services for underserved populations.
Nebraska rancher builds successful farm-to-table business
Successful Farming profiles Hannah Klitz, a Nebraska rancher who has built a thriving farm-to-table business, marketing and shipping her beef nationwide. Klitz also shares her entrepreneurial journey and offers online courses to help other producers succeed in direct-to-consumer sales.
https://www.agriculture.com/15-minutes-with-a-farmer-hannah-klitz-nebraska-beef-8753759
Iowa businesses advocate for electricity rate reform
Radio Iowa reports that business groups are urging state regulators to adopt “Integrated Resource Planning” when considering future electricity rate increases. This approach aims to ensure more affordable rates by analyzing both electricity demand and supply projections.
Rural America faces philanthropic gap
A new report from the Richmond Fed Economic Focus highlights the challenges rural communities face in attracting philanthropic support. Factors such as limited grant-writing capacity and a perception of ineffective place-based development hinder philanthropic investment in these areas. The report offers recommendations for philanthropic organizations to better support rural communities.
https://www.richmondfed.org/publications/research/econ_focus/2024/q4_feature2
AI cameras improve dairy farm management
Dairy Herd Management reports dairy farms are increasingly utilizing AI-powered cameras to monitor cow health, behavior, and feeding patterns. This technology provides valuable data to farmers, enabling them to make more informed decisions and improve overall farm management.
https://www.dairyherd.com/news/business/got-ai-valuable-smart-technology-has-arrived-farm
Rural Minnesota businesses face succession challenges
A new report from the Center for Rural Policy and Development in Minnesota highlights the challenges of business succession in rural communities, including an aging population of business owners and difficulties finding qualified buyers. The report emphasizes the importance of successful transitions for the local economy and offers recommendations for overcoming these challenges, such as improving access to resources and developing comprehensive succession plans.
https://www.ruralmn.org/rural-minnesota-business-succession-and-sale-barriers-and-opportunities/
Ben Rowley is a small-town news publisher and writes about Rural Business issues. Find more content at RuralBusiness.com. Have a Rural Business story to share? Reach out at contact@ruralbusiness.com.