News

The $2 trillion growth opportunity hiding in small rural communities

October 12, 2026/

“Micropolitan” communities must build the infrastructure, workforce and partnerships to attract venture capital, according to a report from McKinsey and Heartland Forward.

The United States could generate $2 trillion in economic output by investing in “micropolitan communities,” or cities with 10,000 to 49,999 residents, according to a Heartland Forward and McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility report released Oct. 1.

By Stephanie Kanowitz


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