The problems rural America faces often go unnoticed and unaddressed in the hustle and bustle of urban life. Rural communities struggle with deep-seated geographical imbalances that weaken economic opportunities and quality of life. In many cases, wages stagnant and populations dwindle as economic activity concentrates in larger cities.

But new and innovative responses in rural economic development could help fill this growing gap. How do we address these issues? In my view, it’s a holistic, community centered model of economic development.

Community centered economic development goes beyond the old school, one-size-fits-all strategies and shapes solutions to the specific needs and potentials of individual communities. It weaves together various facets of community life and local resources into a comprehensive strategy that nourishes economic growth from within.

Central to the approach is active local stakeholder participation, by which businesses, governments, nonprofits and residents work out strategies and decision-making processes. If there’s a sense of being heard and valued, the resulting strategies are not only more relevant, but also tend to have the base of support that makes these plans sustainable over the long term.

The overarching goal is to cultivate an environment in which economic opportunities and quality of life go hand in hand.

Economic diversity is the key component of this paradigm. Many rural communities depend on one or two large industries and become economic monocultures. Diversification to involve such sectors as agriculture, manufacturing, services and technology protects communities from economic downturns and promotes overall stable economic surroundings.

There’s another critical part of this strategy. It refers to the application of proper technology and practices to reduce environment effects and conserve resources so coming generations also can benefit from them.

Yet another important aspect of this strategy is skills development for local employment. With proper training — including career training, continuing education and school collaborations — skills gaps can be bridged, enabling local workers to prepare for and engage in  new job opportunities.

Innovation and technology also play essential roles in transforming rural economies. By embracing new technologies and fostering innovation, rural communities move into new economic areas. This could involve supporting startups through incubators and accelerators, providing grants for innovation and building broadband infrastructure to bolster businesses.

What is the success that comes from using this type of holistic community based approach? Such an approach enables rural areas to weather economic booms and busts by diversifying their economies and strengthening their communities. It spreads economic benefits more evenly, reducing inequalities. It also preserves natural and cultural resources, making rural areas more appealing to both businesses and residents. This helps prevent people from leaving and attracts new residents looking for a better quality of life.

By understanding and addressing the root causes of economic disparities and investing in the long-term health of rural economies, the holistic, community centered model offers more than just a roadmap to economic resilience. It paves the way for rural communities to thrive in an increasingly complex global economy.

Could this community focused strategy offer the key to revitalizing rural America? The answer seems promising.

As we work together to implement these strategies, the potential for vibrant, resilient rural communities becomes an achievable reality and marks a significant move toward a future where every community, regardless of its starting point, has the tools to succeed.