"Rural Communities Need More Than Economic Growth to Thrive," Researcher Says

Economic growth has traditionally been used to measure the success of communities, but increasing employment opportunities does not necessarily mean residents are experiencing a higher quality of life.

Tessa Conroy, an associate professor of agricultural and applied economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, discussed the relationship between rural economic development and community livability during a presentation Friday, Oct. 23, at North Dakota State University.

The presentation, titled "The Rural Economy and Livability," was hosted by the Sheila and Robert Challey Institute for Global Innovation and Growth as part of its Human Progress and Flourishing Workshop series. The event took place in Beckwith Recital Hall.

Conroy's research focuses on regional economic development, entrepreneurship and small-business dynamics, particularly how communities can identify and build upon their existing strengths.

During the presentation, Conroy explained that economic development strategies have historically prioritized job creation. However, she said communities are increasingly shifting their attention toward attracting and retaining residents by improving quality of life.

Traditionally, economic development has progressed through three major approaches: recruiting industries, supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship and developing partnerships between organizations and industries.

Conroy described an emerging fourth approach centered on livability, which considers how factors beyond employment opportunities influence where people choose to live.

Rather than assuming people will relocate to communities offering employment, this approach recognizes that businesses may also follow workers to places with desirable living conditions.

Housing affordability, access to health care, education, recreational opportunities and community relationships can all influence whether residents remain in a community or choose to move elsewhere.

Conroy explained that this shift is particularly relevant to rural communities, where attracting and retaining workers can be essential to sustaining schools, businesses and other local institutions.

However, she emphasized that economic growth does not always translate into improvements in residents' well-being. Growth can also create challenges, including housing shortages, environmental concerns and changes to a community's character.

To better understand what makes communities desirable places to live, Conroy and her research collaborators have examined different ways of measuring livability.

Their research identifies three approaches: performance, preference and potential.

Performance measures examine community conditions and outcomes, such as housing affordability, education and access to essential services. Preference measures consider where people choose to live and what those decisions suggest about the desirability of different locations.

The third approach, potential, focuses on the assets communities already possess that could support a higher quality of life in the future.

Conroy explained that communities may have valuable resources and characteristics that are not fully reflected in conventional economic measures. These communities can be considered "hidden gems," possessing strengths that could support future development even if they are not currently experiencing substantial economic growth.

She also emphasized that rural communities are not identical and that development strategies should reflect the specific needs and priorities of residents.

Following the presentation, Conroy spoke with The Spectrum about the relevance of her research to students attending NDSU, particularly those who may consider returning to rural communities after graduation.

"I hope that they feel good about those choices to go back to the rural community," Conroy said. "Sometimes I think rural parts of the country get painted with a narrative of decline or deficit or lagging."

Conroy said the challenges facing rural areas can overshadow the opportunities and benefits these communities offer.

"We don't hear enough about all the ways in which rural places are great and offer high quality of life or high livability," she said.

For students considering returning to their hometowns, Conroy hopes her research provides a different perspective on rural development and encourages them to consider how they can contribute to their communities.

She also discussed the need for additional research into rural economies, particularly because of limitations in available data.

"I definitely think that there's a need for more rural research," Conroy said. "I think one of the biggest limitations we have is just rural data availability."

Conroy explained that researchers often rely on five-year estimates from the American Community Survey when examining county-level data. These estimates can make it difficult to identify specific community needs with the precision necessary for detailed research.

Beyond the presentation's focus on rural development, Conroy emphasized the importance of universities providing opportunities for students and community members to engage with different perspectives.

"I think it helps people think about new ideas, develop those critical thinking skills, and also practice engagement with people who think differently or have different experiences," Conroy said.

The Challey Institute, an interdisciplinary research institute housed in NDSU's College of Business, focuses on research and public engagement related to economic opportunity, innovation and human flourishing.

Its Human Progress and Flourishing Workshop series invites scholars from different disciplines to share research with students and the Fargo-Moorhead community. The presentations are free and open to the public, with opportunities for discussion following each event.

Conroy said she appreciated the opportunity to share her research and encouraged students interested in rural development to continue exploring the topic.

For students returning to rural communities, her research offers an opportunity to consider economic success beyond employment statistics and examine how local resources, institutions and relationships contribute to long-term well-being.