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Rural America Needs Change Agents
January 17th, 2011 by Mike Knutson
Entrepreneurship and self-employment are key to a rural revival. That's the message our friend Don Macke at the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship shared last week in an article he wrote for the New Geography blog. In addition to building a case for why entrepreneurship is important, Macke identifies three areas of rural community development that are impacted by the growth of entrepreneurship. One in particular, the connection between entrepreneurs and risk takers, caught my attention. In a section titled "Social and Economic Renewal, Don notes:Based on our field research throughout North America we would argue that the dominate group leaving rural areas are not necessarily the best and brightest, but those with a greater capacity for taking risk. This distinction is strategically important in that losing risk takers erodes a community's fundamental capacity for innovating and embracing necessary change. Attracting entrepreneurs introduces "change agents" back into declining rural communities. This introduction enhances social and economic renewal. Based on our field research throughout North America we would argue that the dominate group leaving rural areas are not necessarily the best and brightest, but those with a greater capacity for taking risk. This distinction is strategically important in that losing risk takers erodes a community's fundamental capacity for innovating and embracing necessary change. Attracting entrepreneurs introduces "change agents" back into declining rural communities. This introduction enhances social and economic renewal." (source: "Self-Employment Key to Expanding Rural America's Revival," Don Macke, New Geography, Jan. 13, 2011)Don offers a good reminder: rural communities need "change agents" who help initiate innovation. And the people most likely to fill that role are the people who are leaving rural communities. So, what needs to be done to attract (or retain) people who possess "a greater capacity for taking risks?" I'll offer the following quick list.
First, communities need to develop the environment and infrastructure to support entrepreneurs. Currently, the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship helps "coach" communities seeking to support entrepreneurs. They also offer a wide array of resources for practitioners on their website to get them started.
Second, communities need to build a stronger brand with a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. During my time working in rural communities, I'm astounded by the innovative nature of some rural communities. Sadly, they don't attempt to communicate that attribute to the world around them. It's little wonder they don't attract more entrepreneurs.
Third, communities need to be more entrepreneurial themselves. Obviously this goes hand-in-hand with my first and second recommendations. But at the same time, the community itself must display the values of an entrepreneur and be willing to take risks. Doing so will make the community more inviting to entrepreneurs.
The list could go on and on. And it leads to the question, "What is your community doing to attract entrepreneurs?"
Tags: Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship, Nebraska
Posted in Community Development, Economic Development, Rural | Comments (
5 )
January 17th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
I just saw your post linked from the sidebar at South Dakota War College. I was reading the post there about Certified Professional Midwives and the medical lobby’s efforts to keep them from practicing here. It occurred to me that many Certified Professional Midwives start their own businesses (often employing others as they have the means) and most are self-employed. Yet South Dakota communities can’t support or encourage these entrepreneurs because the state doesn’t offer licensing to CPMs.
January 18th, 2011 at 3:20 pm
The residents of rural America have always had health care disadvantages relative to their urban counterparts There are, however, several reasons for optimism with respect to health care in rural areas. First, the demographic and economic future for rural areas looks brighter than at any time in the past. With rapid developments in information and communication technology, the relevance of location has been reduced. As a consequence, it is now possible for individuals and businesses to locate where they wish, even in rural areas, and still remain in contact with their office and clients or even market their products over the Internet. With greater opportunities of doing so, the number of people choosing to live in rural areas is greater than ever before. As a consequence, new physicians can move to many rural areas with confidence that the community will remain economically and demographically vibrant.
A second reason for optimism with respect to health care in rural areas is again related to rapid improvements in information and communication technology. With modern technology, it is increasingly possible for rural physicians, hospitals and medical offices to gain inputs from urban specialists and technology on an instantaneous basis. The result is better care for rural residents and increased opportunities for rural health care professionals.
January 24th, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Don and Amy,
Thanks for your comments. It’s interesting that a post about entrepreneurship spurred both of you to talk about the health care field. I would venture to guess that many people don’t think of those two ideas in the same breath, and yet in the community of Howard, SD health care has been a big part of our economic renewal.
It is certain that rural communities can offer many advantages. The great challenge is sharing what a good life rural has to offer with those who are open to it.
January 30th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
I would add, it’s not only a matter of attracting entrepreneurs. It’s more about retaining and developing them. Want to reduce the number of great risk-takers leaving your community? Make entrepreneurs a priority. Want entrepreneurs who will stick with your community, and not relocate as soon as they are successful? Grow your own.
February 2nd, 2011 at 7:40 am
Great post and great comments. I would add to the discussion that rural communities need to be aware that attracting and fostering these “change agents” also means the community needs to make a conscious decision to accept and welcome change.
Sometimes rural communities recognize on the surface that “something needs to happen,” but actual changes in the communities they (and oftentimes their families) have lived in all their lives can be scary–leading to the brakes being slammed on at inopportune moments.
On both the community’s and the change agent’s side, there has be acknowledgment of the traditions and culture of the place, and good communication about what is going to change and what isn’t–what HAS to change, and what doesn’t.