Since these attributes are so commonplace, they do not constitute a distinct comparative advantage when defining and marketing the community. Banking on them, so to speak, is a dubious revitalization strategy. Clearly, we can simply disagree on this point.

However, my main concern is our permanent loss of intellectual capital. For the last three decades, smart and talented young people have flocked to large metropolitan areas. They are drawn by compelling “quality of life” considerations: economic opportunity, cultural energy, and creative dynamism. This trend is not abating.

Small towns, especially those in The Heartland, are hemorrhaging their futures. Without perceived opportunities, even those who would rather stay feel constrained to leave. Preferences give way to frustrated aspirations and economic necessities.

Simply put, if “the next generation” can’t be induced to stay, any current economic gains we realize will only be temporary.

I don’t know you, so take this for what it’s worth. You speak of being a municipal leader, and clearly you aspire to being mayor. Genuine leadership demands insight and courage–the insight to see beyond conventional wisdom and the courage to realistically address challenging issues. I sincerely hope you are the leader you envision yourself to be.

Best of luck, and bye-bye.

First of all, it’s important to recognize that most small communities didn’t keep pace with the healthy expansion enjoyed by our national economy during the most recent boom cycle. Therefore, we were especially vulnerable to the downturn and will almost certainly face a more challenging path to prosperity when the general economy recovers.

Furthermore, there are multiple tsunami-like trends aligned against smaller communities like ours. Several of the most thorny illustrate why I don’t see our local difficulties as essentially cyclical problems.

The Emergence of the Knowledge-Based Economy: It places a premium on education and a career-long ability to acquire and hone new skills for a rapidly evolving workplace. Roughly speaking, one in four Americans is a university graduate, and that proportion is growing. Locally, just one in eight persons is a university graduate, and there is no discernible upward trend. Since formal education is often viewed as a surrogate for adaptability to the new economy, we appear poorly positioned.

The Crippling Out-Migration of Young People: Sadly, many young people leave permanently when they graduate from high school or community college, and university graduates seldom return. It’s a widespread trend that’s sapping our community of current vitality and future potential. The result is a twofold problem. The average age of the workforce increases while the permanent loss of locally-reared university graduates deprives our community of their ongoing contributions.

Generally speaking, entrepreneurs are attracted to communities that have a young, well-educated workforce. Again, in this regard, we find ourselves at an apparent disadvantage.

Globalization and Technological Improvements: These have been discussed to death, but the effects are clear. Old economy manufacturing jobs are simply not coming back in any significant numbers.

You might conclude I’m pessimistic, but I’m not. If we realistically confront the challenges that face us, we can renew our community. However, that necessitates taking an active, pragmatic approach to revitalization as a matter of economic survival.

That’s why I support a competently and professionally coordinated community economic development program. Unfortunately, I just wish I felt better about how our new municipal initiative has been unfolding.