Common-Sense Practices To Grow Small Towns

Our world is changing rapidly.

After decades of being frowned upon by our big city cousins, small communities in rural America suddenly look more appealing than ever -- and not just to those who grew up here.

The coronavirus, urban violence, and scenes of widespread destruction of property in our cities -- including Lincoln -- will have a permanent impact on where people choose to work, raise families and retire.

• According to a Harris poll, 39% of urban dwellers say the COVID-19 crisis has prompted them to consider leaving for a less crowded place.

• Data from Realtor.com also shows suggests people are interested in moving to properties outside of cities. Realtor.com's figures, which compared June 2020 to June of 2019, found that homes in rural zip codes saw a 34% increase in views.

The time is right for small, rural communities like Dorchester to act in order to retain young residents and attract new residents.

The question, of course, is: How do we do that?

This editorial by Zachary Mannheimer, an Iowa City-based expert in rural revitalization, gives eight starting points for smaller rural communities. They are:

• Market directly to these workers who can work from home – know who they are, identify them — many likely left a rural area for work not that long ago. Make sure your online presence is enticing, like Wilson, Ark., (population 829).

• Have basic infrastructure — especially broadband — in place, or have a plan to address it. 

• Develop your own unique branding — play to your strengths and have fun with it: “Nebraska: Honestly, it’s not for everyone.”

• Have the right amenities in place — or have a plan to bring about more cultural organizations, co-working and maker spaces, child care, restaurants, breweries and recreation.

• Facilitate workforce development programs to train/upskill job seekers who want to remain rural but still work in a high-tech field. Look into bringing educators to your community to teach skills and courses.

• Ensure you don’t have to drive 40 miles for health care, or install tele-medicine units.

• Make sure your downtown is presentable.

• Incentivize homeowners and builders like Newton, Iowa, (population 15,130) which offers up to $10,000 to move there, plus a lawnmower.

Mannheimer concludes with this: Even with the challenges posed by the coronavirus, rural communities should start working immediately to capitalize on the work migration that’s beginning now and will continue as more companies (allow) employees to work remotely.