1st Edition

The Economic Survival of America's Isolated Small Towns

By Gerald L. Gordon Copyright 2016
    263 Pages 103 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    The economic history of the recent decade has been volatile at best, and devastating at its worst. The effects have tended to be most severe in the small, isolated towns of America. The Economic Survival of America's Isolated Small Towns presents a detailed discussion of the economic challenges facing these small towns, looking at why some have survived, while others have not. Through 51 case studies, this book gives a voice to the real, living realities and administrative strategies of small-town America.

    The Economic Survival of America's Isolated Small Towns focuses on towns that have fewer than 10,000 residents and are further than 50 miles from another larger city. Based on interviews with the leaders of 51 small towns, the author shows how to plan and implement economic growth strategies, equally applicable to those communities that are trying to retain their strength as to those that are trying to rebuild following a downturn. The case studies convey, from one town leader to the other, which actions fail and which succeed.

    Following the case studies, the author presents concluding thoughts, looking at topics such as:

    • Relevance of lessons learned in micropolitan cities (population 10,000–50,000) to small, isolated towns
    • Impact of enabling technologies on small-town survival
    • Advantages to employers in small, isolated towns
    • Feasibility for small towns to build the required facilities and infrastructure that might attract potential employers
    • Whether it is beneficial for the US to prop up struggling small towns artificially

    The Economic Survival of America's Isolated Small Towns presents basic lessons learned by these small-town leaders that can benefit leaders in other towns as they confront similar issues and situations. Those charged with establishing public policy—either at the federal or state levels—should find the conclusions valuable as they plan for the next generation of public economic policies.

    Preface
    Acknowledgments
    About the Author

    Introduction
    Previous Research
    What Is a Small City or Town, and Who Lives in Them?
    What Does It Mean for a Small Town to Be Isolated, and Why Is That Important?
    Selecting the Case Study Cities
    Similarities and Dissimilarities between the Economic Forces and Solutions Facing Large Cities and Small Towns

    Fifty-One of America’s Small and Isolated Cities Examined
    Northwest Region
    Emmett, Idaho
    Rupert, Idaho
    Lewistown, Montana
    Lincoln, Oregon
    Ephrata, Washington
    Cody, Wyoming
    Douglas, Wyoming

    North Central
    Algona, Iowa
    Detroit Lakes, Minnesota
    International Falls, Minnesota
    Montevideo, Minnesota
    Holdredge, Nebraska
    Sidney, Nebraska
    Valley City, North Dakota

    Great Lakes
    Carmi, Illinois
    Kingsford, Michigan
    Ashland, Wisconsin
    Rice Lake, Wisconsin

    Northeast
    Caribou, Maine
    Titusville, Pennsylvania

    Southeast
    Arab, Alabama
    Hamilton, Alabama
    Thomaston, Georgia
    Kosciusko, Mississippi
    Brevard, North Carolina
    Roxboro, North Carolina
    Covington, Tennessee
    Lexington, Tennessee
    McKenzie, Tennessee
    Galax, Virginia
    South Boston, Virginia
    Elkins, West Virginia

    South Central
    Pocahontas, Arkansas
    Colby, Kansas
    Fort Scott, Kansas
    Charleston, Missouri
    Chillicothe, Missouri
    Perryville, Missouri
    Breckenridge, Texas
    Elsa, Texas
    Pecos, Texas

    West and Southwest
    Winslow, Arizona
    Fort Bragg, California
    Yreka, California
    Delta, Colorado
    Gunnison, Colorado
    Lamar, Colorado
    Salida, Colorado
    Winnemucca, Nevada
    Taos, New Mexico
    Vernal, Utah

    Conclusions
    The Relevance of Lessons Learned in Micropolitan Cities to Those That Are Small and Isolated
    Will Technology Enable Small Towns to Survive?
    Are There Advantages for Employers in Small, Isolated Cities?
    Why Should We Care about America’s Cities That Are Small and Isolated?
    Special Considerations for Small, Isolated Cities and Towns
    The Brain Drain and Postsecondary Education
    If You Build It, Will They Really Come?

    A Special Case Study: Raton, New Mexico
    What Happens to a City without Jobs?
    Interview with Paula Murphy, Publisher of the Raton Range

    Issues for Future Economic Growth, by City and Region

    Bibliography
    Books
    Internet Citations
    Presentations
    Unpublished Papers

    Index

    Biography

    Dr. Gerald L. Gordon is the president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Authority in Fairfax County, Virginia, one of the largest office space markets in the United States. Dr. Gordon holds a bachelor’s degree from The Citadel, a master’s degree from George Washington University, and a doctorate in international economics from the Catholic University of America. He is also the author of 13 books and numerous articles on strategic planning and economic development. His most recent books are Reinventing Local and Regional Economies (2011) and The Formula for Economic Growth on Main Street America (2009).

    Virginia Business Magazine named Dr. Gordon the 2010 Virginia Business Person of the Year, and Leadership Fairfax, Inc., named Dr. Gordon the recipient of its 2011 Northern Virginia Regional Leadership Award.