There are challenges small towns face, but successful ones say working together, planning and investing in their communities can pay off.
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Rural Main Streets thrive with teamwork and planning
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Officials in Atlantic, Iowa, say the community’s small-town charm is part of its appeal, as well as having activities and chances to get involved.
About 25 events a year organized by volunteers in Atlantic, Iowa, give residents an opportunity to get out in the community, says Chamber of Commerce executive director Bailey Smith.
In Atlantic, Iowa, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith says the local economy is based on agriculture, industrial work and healthcare. It is a town of about 6,800 in Cass County.
Communities can support local businesses and direct entrepreneurs to small business support services available, such as SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives.
In Versailles, a town of about 2,500 in central Missouri’s Morgan County surrounded by fertile ag land and located north of the Lake of the Ozarks, city leaders say the small-town feel is part of its appeal.
Mark White, a clinical associate professor at the University of Illinois, worked on a rural vitality study for the university. He says the relationship between the ag sector and their local towns is important for the success of both, with farmers making purchases in town and also seeking funding from local banks.
