Small Firms Can Jump-Start Rural Economies

Jun 11th, 2007 | By Dawn Rivers | Category: Podcasts

I bet you think I’m silly for harping on the nation’s food supply the way I do. After all, it’s only food; it’s not big deal except that people die without it. It’s certainly not as important as growing our economy.

Keep your eye on that relocalization trend that’s happening in rural America, where small farmers are finding a ready and willing market for fresh, locally grown produce by selling direct to consumers and other end users (grocers, restaurants, etc.). That one is not only the fastest growing segment of the food business right now, it’s going to be the saving of the small, family farm down the road.

And, of course, if the biofuels and biochemical industries really take off — and there’s every indication that they will do just that — it will be a really big help to rural America. Here’s another question, though: it always seems that only a few people own those new companies and make buckets of money, while everybody else stands by the sidelines and watches their neighbors get rich. How evenly will this new wealth spread through rural economies?

Also on today’s agenda: microbusinesses respond to the environment and the House is set to vet the SBA appropriations legislation.

For more information:

Highlights from House Small Business Committee Farm Bill hearing (YouTube)
National Farmers Union
Small Firms Take Big Interest in the Environment (press release)
NASE Survey Results
House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government

[tags]biofuels, ethanol, relocalization, economic development, environment, SBA budget, microbusinesses[/tags]

Small Firms Can Jump-Start Rural Economies [ 8:35 | 7.86 MB ] Play Now | Play in Popup

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