After losing population during the 1980s, many of Minnesota’s rural counties are experiencing a rebound.

Ben Winchester, a research fellow with the University of Minnesota Extension’s Center for Community Vitality, notes that between 1990 and 1999, more than 2.2 million Americans moved from metropolitan counties to non-metropolitan ones.

Speaking at a McLeod For Tomorrow-sponsored presentation in Silver Lake Thursday, Winchester called it the rural “brain gain.” He believes communities that understand how to tap the potential of these rural newcomers can benefit from their experience and education.

“We know that a lot of our kids leave and head to the metro,” Winona-native Winchester said. “We call it a brain drain — the notion is we’re losing the best and brightest.”

Winchester believes this is a misconception, and doesn’t see why communities wouldn’t want their high school graduates to go out into the world to secure an education and gain new experiences.

While 18-to-25-year-olds are leaving rural areas, these communities have seen an influx of 35-to-49-year-olds.

Who are these 35-to-49-year-olds and why are they leaving the metro area for the small towns? Winchester cited research by Dr. Randy Cantrell of the University of Nebraska, a state experiencing a similar phenomenon.

In Nebraska, Cantrell found:
• 40 percent have attained a bachelors degree,
• 48 percent have household incomes greater than $50,000 per year,
• 43 percent have children in their household, and
• they are generally leaving a career.

“I think it’s very difficult for people to decide to leave a career,” Winchester said.
But, the benefits of small-town living the newcomers cited — the slower pace of life, safety and security and a low cost of housing — make it worthwhile.

Communities can capitalize on the influx of experienced, educated newcomers, Winchester said, by offering leadership training and entrepreneurial opportunities.

“My own opinion is we invest in the newcomers,” he said, “and help them start a business.”

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com [2])