Small Towns Growing with Small Businesses

Columbus, Ind., is one of a growing group of small towns that is conducive to small business growth and economic expansion. The town?EUR??,,????'???s unique architecture, such as the limestone pillars that comprise a Veteran's Memorial outside the town courthouse, gives it a distinctive aesthetic flair.

The advantages of starting and growing a business in a metropolitan area ?EUR??,,????'??? such as a large customer base or access to a skilled workforce ?EUR??,,????'??? have begun to wither away in the Internet age, as entrepreneurs and urban residents are leaving the bright lights behind and moving to smaller towns, bringing the potential for growth and economic vitality with them.

Jack Shultz, author of Boomtown, USA and an authority on economic development in rural areas, listed 10 small towns (with populations under 100,000) for OPEN Forum that are becoming magnets for economic growth and expanding businesses. In alphabetical order:

Bend, OR
This central Oregon town has a section on its website devoted to the benefits of locating a business in Bend, including a step-by-step guide for business start-ups that makes it simple and easy. Industries include software development and high tech research, craft brewing, recreational equipment, and health care. (Population: 76,639)

Columbus, IN
Fortune Small Business Magazine named Columbus one of the ''Best Places to Live and Launch,'' and the town is also the headquarters of Cummins Engine. The city's tag line is ''Unexpected and Unforgettable,'' and Architectural Digest Magazine called Columbus one of the most architecturally significant cities in the country. (Population: 46,011)

Columbus, MS
This city has had its own economic boom recently, with $4 billion invested in the area. There are 8,000 jobs in town that pay over $50,000 annually, and the city is home to Columbus Air Force Base, which turns out one-third of the nation's pilots. With more than 3,000 military and civilian employees, the base has a local economic impact of $250 million per year. (Population: 23,818)

Keene, NH
This small town exports nanotechnology, high-tech medical manufacturing, ball bearings, machine tools and printing technology. Only two hours from Boston, many local emplo yers do business internationally. (Population: 22,395)

Mooresville, NC
The town has experienced significant residential and commercial growth in recent years. The population has doubled as businesses around the NASCAR racing circuit have relocated to this town they now call Race City, USA. In addition, it is the home of Lake Norman and corporate home improvement giant, Lowes. (Population: 22,133)

Oxford, MS
This small town contains the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), and is known as the literary capital of the South, due to famous residents like William Faulkner. Its population has grown 36% in the last 10 years, and the downtown area features a historic town square surrounded by retail shops and restaurants. (Population: 17,636)

Ponca City, OK
This town is proud of its fast track permitting, workforce training, local and state incentive programs and free citywide Wi-Fi access. The city's history was shaped by the petroleum industry, as the former headquarters of Conoco Oil. (Population: 24,782)

Prescott, AZ
This small town is 90 miles north of Phoenix and stays relatively cool through the hot Arizona summer. Aviation businesses are well represented in Prescott, as the town is home to one of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campuses. (Population: 42,749)

St. George, Utah
One of the larger towns on the list, it has an average population age of 26, and is only a few hours northeast of Las Vegas. St. George has seen tremendous growth over the past decade, and has a diversified business base, as even its largest employers are small businesses. (Population: 72,897)

Tupelo, MS
As the home of Elvis Presley, this town draws 100,000 visitors a year and supports a $46 million tourism and hospitality industry. As the city tagline says: ''We Put a Little Elvis in Everything We Do.'' Tupelo also has a major Toyota manufacturing plant, a furniture mart and University of Mississippi's Advanced Education Center.