Can you build a growing small business in a declining small town?

It may be possible to build a growing small business in the midst of a declining small town. If so, it will be because we worked together.

The defining characteristics are:

• A small business,
• In a rural or small town setting,
• In a flat or shrinking economy and population.

The challenges include:

• Pressure from competitors in bigger cities,
• Pressure from competitors online, world wide,
• Scarce, or variable quality, resources to assist you locally,
• Tight labor supply, and a graying workforce,
• Lack of skills in your workforce,
• Isolation from your industry peers.

But for each challenge, there is also opportunity.

• The online market opens the world to you.
• Involvement in your community is your way to fight against decline.
• Land is usually cheap, compared to growing areas.
• Regulatory burdens tend to be lower than in well-developed regions.
• A little payroll usually goes a long way.
• Work ethic is usually high.

These are the issues and subjects this blog may cover in the coming months. Expect to see links, article summaries, and editorial comments. If this sounds like your new favorite subject, then hang on!

• About the Author
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About Becky McCray

Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.

• Downtown is your town’s core: How to make your case - February 22, 2021
• Zoom Towns: attracting and supporting remote workers in rural small towns - December 10, 2020
• In an economic crisis, spend your brainpower before your dollars - November 25, 2020
• Video: How to fill empty car dealership buildings for the holidays - November 6, 2020
• How has 2020 changed the challenges rural small towns face? Tell us here - October 20, 2020
• The Idea Friendly Method to surviving a business crisis - October 6, 2020
• Join me for the Rural Renewal Symposium online Oct 13 - September 26, 2020
• Cheap placemaking idea: instant murals - September 11, 2020
• Refilling the rural business pipeline - July 7, 2020
• Huge vacant buildings: grants to renovate? - June 9, 2020