Survey: Rural businesses still worried about training, planning, sufficient capital

The Center for Rural Affairs asked rural business owners to list their concerns, and they continued to put training and planning on top of the list. The center’s third biennial survey results also reveal that sufficient capital and taking on more debt also remain primary concerns, the Omaha World-Herald reports. “The need for working capital is a natural response for start-up or less-experienced businesses, but for capital issues to remain after a business is established is both a reflection of the current economy and the nature of operating a small business in a rural place,” said Jon Bailey, rural research and analysis director for the Nebraska-based center and co-author of the report on the survey.

“How businesses respond to these financial challenges, with the assistance of business development programs and public policy, is critical for the rural economy,” Bailey said. “If established businesses are facing these challenges, we have to find solutions to keep them in business in their communities, and find incentives for start-up businesses in similar communities that may face identical challenges.” (Read more)