Sandra Charvat Burke

The factors that promote rural community viability and sustainability are among the core issues examined by those in rural sociology, economic development and community policy studies. Yet some nonmetropolitan communities struggle with population declines while others thrive. This presentation reports the findings from a study that examined factors involved in differential growth based on interviews with 70 leaders in eight nonmetropolitan communities in Iowa.

Significant factors were whether the community lost a major employer and whether decisions impacting the community were made outside of local control. Most communities selected retention/expansion of businesses as their development focus rather than attracting new ones. Some high growth communities exhibited strong social capital in the form of collaborations among development groups and leaders had assessed community strengths and maintained a "can do" attitude. Willingness to use tax incentives was related to growth, but property tax rates were not. Leaders thought retailing was their weakest sector, wanted to enhance support for entrepreneurs, and were interested in prudent development of recreational resources. Many leaders thought state government favored development in metropolitan areas while allowing nonmetropolitan locations to languish. This presentation will report the general "lessons learned" as well as how community and economic development issues fit into the framework of the community capitals.