The long term survivability of small rural communities is absolutely critical to the well being of our nation. Small rural communities face many of the same challenging problems that large communities face, and there is a critical relationship and synergy between the two that is vital for the survival of both. In many small rural communities we find a long term residency that is based on people finding a place that is away from the hustle and bustle of the big community, a place that is affordable and relatively free of crime―a community where everyone knows everyone else. It is lower cost, friendly, clean and safe for all.

Now that we are all experiencing major financial changes and disruptions, it is good to revisit the vital importance of the small rural community and to look at how to enhance its economic viability and long term survival. The rural community does not have to disappear, it can be a long term survivor, and it just needs to work harder and smarter in order to facilitate that survival. The problems being faced by the rural community may seem to be smaller, but they are just as important and quite possibly even more important over time in our country.

Rural communities have amenities that large communities would love to have. Individuals, families and many professionals would prefer the smaller community, the friendliness and the safety. And, although there is a tendency on our part to over emphasize the “bottom line” and the cost accounting approach to much of what we do, in the belief that centralization delivers more “bang for the buck,” that is not always true. However, the long lasting impact of such a policy approach promotes urban growth and expansion at the expense of rural communities, livability and an exciting opportunity not often observed. It is really time now for us to focus on the small rural community and consciously work to retain their historic atmosphere while enhancing their economic development for long term survival.

Many small rural communities do not lend themselves to such a survival make over, due in part to the fact that they appear to have survived rather well just staying in place, just the way that they are now. But over time, history records that every decade some of our small towns disappear. And as we see now, many will lose their post office and others have already lost schools, mills, plants and other features that helped ensure their existence over time. The time is ripe for the small rural community to begin to work for its own long term survival. We know that many rural communities will continue to decline, while others will either maintain where they are at or increase.

Here are some steps that can help ensure that rural community survival:

1. Recognize that history and lots of hard work created and has delivered your community to where it is today. Rejoice in the hard work and vision of those early settlers, first founders, the original developer and others who laid out what you now enjoy and call home. You have what you have because earlier generations made it so. Now begin to embrace and accept new ideas, new people and new approaches to build on and preserve what you have.
    
2. Recognize the importance and value of the volunteerism that makes your small rural community run. The only way to get things done is to organize a group of volunteers and do it! Do not underestimate the value of local volunteer organization that rolled up their sleeves and got it done. It might be the local Rotary Club, Lions Club, Kiwanis or local school booster club. Or it is the local Chamber of Commerce or business organization. It is even the local business people who support, promote and donate for every good positive cause. These all add up to creating what is really good, positive and exciting about your rural community. What is now in place must be honored and revered as you move forward to the next level.
    
3. Do not focus on what is bad or wrong in your community, but start where you are and determine what you want your vision to be and work for that. Make room for everyone and stay focused. Visit individually with people; hold “everybody invited” community meetings (the more in attendance the better) to help you determine that next 20 year vision. One on one meetings and interviews will take time, but when measured to a 20 year future, this effort is invaluable. And, make sure that people who are looked at as leaders and have a major influence are interviewed and involved. Make doubly sure that your existing business people are involved because when you succeed, they will see more business, can donate more and can provide new jobs for local residents. Involve all ages and interest groups, even youth and everyone sits at the same table.
    
4. Create a local resource to openly and frequently communicate to everyone in town. Keeping everyone fully informed will be critical for your long term success. Be sure that the communication extends beyond your “boundary” so that others see and sense the energy and will want to come to your town, visit, spent money and help your local community. It may be a local newspaper, flyer or even the church bulletin. Open communication is critical.
    
5. Give everyone an opportunity to be a part of creating the long term vision; the “what do we want to look like in 20 years.” The more involvement you can generate in vision creation, the more “buy in” and energy you will create. Let your community think big, be bodacious, be all you want to be. When everyone can find their piece of the vision, getting them to help deliver it is much easier.
    
6. Develop a list of things that must be done in order for “us” to achieve our vision. These are called “strategic initiatives” or “actions” we must take to achieve our vision. Prioritize them and then begin working on them in smaller interest groups so that you begin moving toward your vision one step at a time. Be sure to include keeping your school if you have one and the revitalization of your downtown core area needs to be high on your list. If you are so blessed by geography, you must have a tourism element to your plan. Bringing people to your community to enjoy what you have, or to participate in some local festival or celebration or farmers market can help local merchants. Of vital importance is creating new jobs, so include that element. Focus on solutions that the community can afford and that the citizens are willing to pay for. Stop talking and do something positive!
    
7. Create an open membership (anyone can belong) community coordinating organization that coordinates, assists and keeps the work focused on long term economic survival. This is the group that holds the vision and priorities up regularly and makes sure you are all working in a focused direction. Everyone’s ideas and opinions are important. Never hold meetings that are not open to all.
    
8. Make sure that you look around you and determine what the nearest large urban area is doing. Determine what you can do to fit into what is happening in the urban centers because that will provide you with a big advantage. It is anticipated that large urban areas will be the future of our countries economic development and if that happens you want to be strategically placed to keep your small town atmosphere but at the same time capitalize on the vast changes coming in our world-wide economy. Technology, natural resources and agriculture will be ever more important in creating that survival strategy and guiding the connecting relationships. The internet, computers and other forms of rapid communication will provide your community with the ability to attract highly mobile workers and families. Maybe you are near natural resources like forests, lakes, canyons and minerals that can be incorporated into your economic development strategy. Quite possibly it is the development of enhanced agriculture so that you have products that can be consumed locally as well as sent to the urban centers for use in schools, homes and restaurants. Crafting an effective connection to larger urban areas will serve you well over the coming years. Look at the major transportation corridors (freeways, railroads, airports etc) near you and figure out how to use them to support the kind of community you want to be. Educate larger communities about the value and importance provided by your rural community.
    
9. Band together with other smaller communities in your area. Share resources, work together to  establish a “buy local” program to support all local merchants and create your own sense of regionalism that benefits you and your businesses and citizens. Use others to help develop and mount a marketing plan to enhance your community and region. When using outside resources such as consultants, make sure they show you and your community how to carry on in their absence and that the local ability is trained and developed. If using consultants, get them to stay in town, roll up their sleeves and work shoulder to shoulder with you. None of this dropping in then leaving. Do not get in a position where you must always get help from outside. Develop your own capacity to get it done yourself.

Through hard work and careful thinking you can ensure that your small rural community survives and continues to be the place that friendly people live, work and play. Your goal should be to attain long term survival.

Paul Koch has over 35 years of experience in local and state government and has spent the last ten years focusing his efforts on assisting local government, organizations and businesses be successful. Visit his web site for more information.

Blog headline photo by M Hedin on Flickr.

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