In The Ripple Effect of Investing in Rural America, Suzanne Anarde, then–Vice President and Director of Rural LISC, argues that the true value of rural community development lies not in urban-style scale but in the deep, far-reaching effects of small investments across tightly knit networks. She highlights how infrastructure projects, small business support, and cultural initiatives may touch relatively few people numerically, but profoundly shape community vitality—creating jobs, preserving essential services, and strengthening the social fabric. Anarde calls for a “new lens” to evaluate rural impact, one that recognizes ripple effects, captures meaning and significance beyond raw numbers, and positions rural America as central to the nation’s resilience, equity, and future prosperity.
THE “RIPPLE EFFECT” OF INVESTING IN RURAL AMERICA
