Since the Great Recession (~2008), the growth of small businesses has been concentrated in big cities and urban-suburbs, according to a report by the Center for American Progress (CAP). During the same period of time, nearly all rural areas have experienced a substantial loss of jobs and a lack of business creation. Policies geared toward encouraging rural startups have not been effective in rural areas, leading to a growing regional divide, according to the report.

• Southern rural areas have seen the highest levels of business closures.
• African American communities have borne the brunt of economic decline.

Some pockets of rural America are seeing business growth, but not at the same pace as urban business growth.

• Communities that are retirement-focused (graying communities) are generally recreation-dependent. These communities are located in large states such as Florida, Texas and California.
  
• Rural areas with mining focus, especially in the oil and gas industry.
  
• Latter-day Saint enclaves in Utah have large youth populations and less population loss than other rural communities.

In rural America, the small business decline is tied to population decline.

• There’s little point in setting up shop in a town with few potential customers.

Some rural communities have turned to a new way to improve their potential for growth.

• Opened their doors to immigrants to increase their populations and generate more small business demand in…
  • Agriculture
  • Manufacturing
  • Health care
  • Tourism

However, there can be a “trust gap” to overcome in rural towns where locals may be skeptical of newcomers, says CAP senior economist Olugbenga Ajilore, author of the report.

SEE ALSO | Challenges Facing Rural and Small Town Businesses and Residents| 2020

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