Rural America, often romanticized for wide-open spaces and tight-knit communities, faces unprecedented challenges.
From the economic downturn following the Great Recession to the devastating impacts of COVID-19, rural regions of the nation have struggled to regain footing.
It's time for a new approach — one empowering landowners, trusting them to lead the way in revitalizing their communities.
Federal, and increasingly state governments, with their one-size-fits-all solutions, often fail to address the unique challenges faced by these areas.
The key to revitalizing rural America lies not in state-level top-down mandates but in recognizing the importance of individual property rights, allowing landowners to determine their land's best use.
Landowners possess an intimate understanding of their environment, its resources, and its potential. They have a vested interest in the prosperity of their communities and are best positioned to make decisions that balance economic development with environmental stewardship.
By removing unnecessary regulatory hurdles and providing landowners with the autonomy to develop their land, we can unlock the full potential of rural America.
Consider the current landscape, rural areas often lag behind metropolitan centers in terms of employment and economic growth.
The persistent gap in unemployment and poverty rates between metro and nonmetro counties continues to widen.
COVID-19 has additionally exposed the vulnerabilities of rural communities, from the closure of hospitals to the lack of access to federal resources.
These challenges demand a bold, new approach to rural development.
Empowering landowners means recognizing the diverse assets within rural communities.
It involves shifting from an overburdened zoning processes to a from-the-ground-up strategy, where local knowledge and expertise drive development initiatives.
This approach aligns with the principles of asset-based community development, which focuses on leveraging existing strengths rather than simply addressing deficits.
It also empowers landowners to enforce their own private property rights.
One of the most pressing needs in rural America is the creation of high-quality, sustainable jobs. Agriculture, manufacturing, and mining, once the bedrocks of the rural economy, no longer dominate the employment landscape.
Today, the service sector — particularly health, education, and social services — plays a critical role in rural employment.
Encouraging landowners to explore innovative uses for their land, such as renewable energy projects, agritourism, and small-scale manufacturing, can create new economic opportunities and foster resilience.
By trusting landowners to lead development efforts, we also ensure that growth is tailored to the specific needs and aspirations of each community.
This localized approach can prevent the negative impacts of external, one-size-fits-all policies that often disregard the nuanced realities of rural life.
It empowers communities to create development plans reflective of their values and priorities, whether that means preserving agricultural heritage, promoting tourism, or diversifying the local economy.
To support this shift, policymakers must focus on reducing local regulatory burdens, reemphasizing property rights, and providing flexible funding streams that allow communities to invest in their unique strengths.
The path to rural resilience and prosperity lies in trusting landowners, empowering them to take the lead.
By leveraging local knowledge and fostering grassroots innovation, we can create vibrant, sustainable rural communities that contribute to the overall strength and resilience of our nation.
It's time to rethink our approach to rural development and place the power back in the hands of those who know their land best.
Charlie Kolean is chief political strategist at R.E.D. PAC. Charlie has worked as a senior policy adviser for state legislators, multinational corporations, and think tanks. Mr. Kolean has been involved in politics for over a decade as an activist, candidate, political consultant, and party leader. He was a bundler on the Trump Finance Victory Committee, and is a member of the American Association of Political Consultants. Readmore of his reports — Here.
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