Small towns need more positive thinking

We all know the many challenges faced in our smaller communities as economic and social trends work against them in so many ways.

Job opportunities abound in larger cities and suburbs and, over time, there has been a migration to those locales.

There simply are fewer economic, educational, recreational and cultural opportunities in rural communities when compared to our urban areas.

But we think it is time that an honest evaluation takes place in the attitude of many toward their very own hometowns.

We are referring to the recurring negativity we notice when residents of our local communities comment upon the future of their communities.

This seems to be the most pronounced when a new business venture is considered. While many in the community welcome and encourage such endeavors, there is a significant degree of skepticism also prevalent. "That will never work here," is the most common phrase heard.

In our case it was personal many years ago when we acquired a newspaper in a small community and were told point-blank by one local resident -- "you'll never make a living with that here."

Talk about a wonderful welcome to the community!

There is a fine line between realism and negativism -- and, unfortunately, many of our local residents cross it regularly. We have seen many viable business ventures sabotaged by negative comments that tend to spread like wildfire. The real downside is the "all-knowing" attitude many have when declaring that something won't work.

The fact is that it very well could succeed if the residents of the community and surrounding areas took an upbeat approach, encouraged the entrepreneur and actively supported the business.

We also have seen the commonplace practice of local residents claiming prices are "too high" with a local business while having no qualms whatsoever paying that amount or much more for similar products or services in a nearby larger community.

This situation certainly is not limited to our small communities in Northeast Arkansas. In an article concerning the need for economic growth in rural areas of Australia, Peter Kenyon from the Centre for Small Town Development had this to say:

"The biggest problem our there in Rural Australia isn't wool prices -- it's change resistance, it's cynicism, it's negativity, it's people who do not want to envisage another future."

The fact is that being against something -- or prematurely declaring it a failure -- is the easy way out. Possessing a positive attitude and then taking personal steps to help ensure the local community will grow and prosper requires time, commitment and creativity. Simply saying "that'll never work here" takes no effort or sacrifice.

The communities that grow and prosper are those that have a strong sense of pride in the local institutions -- businesses, churches and schools. That sense of pride has, in many cases, declined over the years in many of our communities. Often, younger members of the community are not stepping up to take the place of those who have served in key roles for decades.

Rural revival is indeed possible, but it must come from within and it begins by taking a positive approach that realistic goals can be achieved -- and it requires a willingness to move toward those goals in a dedicated and thoughtful manner.

--REK