THE RURBAN FRINGE

‘Rurban Round Up: NIMBY Nation, L.A. Goats and Emus Loose in Egnar

With a mish-mash of interesting headlines cluttering my inbox, click through to end your week on an amusing note and to find out …

how goats in L.A. are clearing brush and attracting fans;
about changing course with NIMBYism; and
a review of big stories from small towns, as collected in Judy Muller’s recently released book, Emus Loose in Egnar.

And [...]

Study Reveals Big Box Store Subsidies Don’t Work

When public money is used to woo private chains, economic growth and job creation aren’t worth the cost, says Stacy Mitchell of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.  Independent retailers also suffer.
Handling out enormous subsidies to large chains has become common in both the US and Canada, with such deals premised on the idea that new [...]

10 Things Elected Officials Need to Know About Economic Development

According to the National League of Cities, ”local elected officials will be more effective in leading economic development activities to the extent that they forge strong relationships with staff members who work on these issues on a daily basis.” 
Sometimes, it’s that simple.
The Role of Local Elected Officials in Economic Development, a free publication which strives to identify [...]

Young Entrepreneurs Build Successful Rural Enterprises

In Ceredigion, a small county in mid-west Wales, three young entrepreneurs are building thriving rural businesses.  And, as anyone working in rural development can tell you, entrepreneurship is one the biggest drivers of economic success for small communities.  
In Farmers Weekly, Debbie James writes: 
“It’s a typical weekday afternoon in the Sweet household.
Tom is at the computer sifting [...]

Investing in Leadership

[Alicia Evans is the Project Manager - Leadership Programs with Rural Ontario Institute who is helping oversee the implementation of an innovative leadership program in rural Ontario.  Read on for her summary of the terrific Steps to Leadership program.]     
When money is tight, the first disposable “luxury” is often leadership development. 
But when it comes to our rural [...]

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