Homegrown Responses to Economic Uncertainty in Rural America

Rural Realities is published by the Rural Sociological Society, Brigham Young University, 2019 JFSB, Provo, Utah 84602 [email protected] http://www.ruralsociology.org The Situation: Rural communities have been hard hit by the recession, but those that have approached economic development by looking inward to community strengths and existing resources are often faring better than those that attempt to lure companies to relocate by promising low wages and tax incentives. The latter can no longer compete in a global economy. Three strategies for homegrown reinvention include place-based development, economic gardening, and creativity and talent cultivation. • Place-based development incorporates strategies that capitalize on the distinctive and special characteristics of a particular place, such as its natural resources, cultural heritage, or other amenities. • Economic gardening relies on “growing your own” by cultivating local entrepreneurs and small firms and creating an environment that supports their growth. • Creativity and talent cultivation involves fostering an environment that supports individuals and firms who use art or design in their products and services.