While many rural counties have struggled economically during the past several decades, others have experienced job growth. While 45 percent of the counties that made economic gains were located next to metropolitan areas, nearly two-thirds of the counties that suffered losses were far from any urban area. Thus, remoteness, a defining characteristic of many rural places, is an economic liability unless favorable scenery or climate can attract retirees, tourists, or entrepreneurs. Rural areas are more likely to be dominated by and dependent on a single industry, thus increasing worker vulnerability. The need for rural economic development is clear, especially in remote areas and regions in decline.
Most observers agree that schools have a role to play in fostering such development.
Fitzgerald's research reveals there is often a negative relationship between education and economic development. Under these circumstances, educational investment pays off only for the rural students willing to migrate to areas that offer higher paying jobs. In many rural areas, available jobs remain low skill, routine, and unrewarding. Examining program purposes is a good first step toward fostering a closer relationship between schools and their rural communities. Results reveal a clear preference for good occupational opportunities over involvement in creating and maintaining a strong community.