Dr. Val FarmerDr.Val
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Rural Mental Health & Family Relationships

Reasons For Hope For Rural Economy

May 3, 2004

What does it take for rural communities to survive and flourish in today's rapidly changing and uncertain economic environment? This is a question of vital interest for a quarter of our nation's people who live in rural communities.

Here are six ideas that I feel are essential for rural community development.

1. Leadership. The future of rural communities depends on a core group of enthused, dedicated community leaders who can energize and mobilize the community toward common goals. Leadership is the engine that pulls the rest of the train.

Successful leaders are civic minded, inclusive, open to diverse opinions and have a track record of cooperation and teamwork. They are adept at getting grass roots consensus and participation. They articulate a vision of the community that is persuasive and energizing. They are successful at creating open and constructive dialogue around important issues. Issues are focused around principles instead of personalities.

An outstanding quality of rural leaders is their superb skill at being peace-keepers and negotiators. They work effectively behind the scenes to achieve a consensus and/or to defuse controversy so that community cohesiveness is preserved.

2. Local businesses. The best strategy for economic development is the expansion of local businesses that are already successful in carving out a local, regional, national or even international market niche. There are rural innovators whose creativity, eye for quality, and marketing sense create sound businesses that grow far beyond their local roots.

The local business environment can mobilize support and resources for already successful businesses to expand and improve their marketing position.

The attitude of local lenders and opinion makers toward providing a helping hand to an already successful business is a key component of success. Petty jealousies and envy can't get in the way of helping each other succeed.

New business start-ups and ideas deserve technical and financial backing. Local investment and initiative are important factors in rural development. Money generated by locally owned businesses has a multiplier effect on the local economy. In addition, local owners tend to be community-minded and contribute their energy and resources for community development.

3. Quality of life. Quality of life is a powerful tool in competing for families and retired couples who have a choice on where they want to live. The quality of schools, medical services, roads, recreation, aesthetically pleasing surroundings, affordable housing and other amenities make a difference as people choose to locate or remain in rural communities.

Community development and economic development go hand in hand. The willingness of the community to invest in itself will be a factor in future growth.

As urban problems such as crime, poor schools, pollution or congestion continue to grow, more people will look to rural communities in order to enjoy a balanced lifestyle that is compatible with quality family life.

4. Regional development. The well-being of small towns depends on the economic growth that takes place regionally as well as locally.

People are willing to commute for jobs and consumer opportunities and still maintain their residency in rural communities. Economic growth in the region will keep people at home by giving them options for a quality lifestyle.

As commuting becomes even more of a reality for rural life, a regional approach to economic development makes sense. Several communities working together can make things happen that otherwise wouldn't.

5. Information and telecommunications technology. The information age offers new opportunities for the development of location-neutral businesses in rural communities. Location becomes irrelevant. Local entrepreneurs using information technology figure out how to position themselves to do regional or national business from rural locations.

Electronic cottage industries spring up because of the ease of moving information through modern telecommunications. Telemarketing companies are just as viable in rural as urban settings.

6. Positive memories about rural community life. Youth growing up in rural communities need to feel and understand the quality of rural life and develop a sense of community before they leave.

When young people are exposed to viable entrepreneurship programs in their schools and with local leaders and business owners, they can develop a vision of their future. They will know they can have both a dynamic, successful life and a quality lifestyle while living in rural communities. Youth can observe role models of innovative, enthusiastic and creative people who succeed in their work and at the same time enjoy a balanced and value-driven lifestyle.

Taking part in community-building service opportunities will help youth value community life and invest themselves in its betterment. A feeling of belonging and contributing to something larger than oneself is a powerful attraction of life in rural communities.

The combination of reasonable prospects for prosperity, good memories of family life and wanting to raise their children in a small community provide young people with strong incentives to return. Even if it isn’t to their own hometown, it will be to another community like it.