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Howdy, I'm David Brancaccio, the public radio and TV guy. Ask me anything about the economy of the future! (self.IAmA)

submitted by dbrancaccio1

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[–]thedawnrazor 2 points3 points  (3 children)

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How much do you think the exodus of young people from small towns has hurt the health of local economies? These days there doesn't seem to be much incentive for young people to live in small, especially rural, towns.

[–]dbrancaccio1[S] 9 points10 points  (2 children)

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It's a huge issue. I myself left Central Maine, a state that has traditionally suffered terrible "brain drains" (not that my brain was worth much to the state...!) A cultural shift may be in order. If young people go off to "seek their fortune" and define fortune as a high salary, people leave. If young people learn to appreciate the social capital that can be found in local community, they might be more inclined to stick around. But the economy in local communities needs to be nurtured so there are jobs. As our documentary demonstrates in places like Cleveland and Baltimore.

[–]berkshares 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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The people at the Berry Center in Kentucky and at the Land Institute in Kansas are advocating for "educating for Homecoming" so that we can give our children the tools they need to come home and support themselves and take care of their place. You might call it a movement to "resettle America."

[–]MZITF 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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I feel that more and more educated people will move to rural communities in the future. I make about 55K a year in rural California and I just bought a new car and I am getting very serious about entering the housing market. If I made 55K in San Francisco I would be far from broke, but I would not have nearly the quality of living I have here.