“Cool Cities” has increasingly become a buzzword among both community and economic development practitioners. The pursuit of the creative class , Richard Florida’s The Rise of the Creative Class, and the opportunity to reverse the brain drain that has plagued communities has become a hot topic throughout the United States.
 
While Florida’s research centered around urban centers, the struggles and successes of larger cities is oftentimes amplified within rural areas. It is the small community that brings its residents, often defined by school district boundaries, together through commerce, education, and a sense of personal identity. Although these communities play a critical role in shaping the overall landscape of rural America, some towns teeter on the brink of extinction while others enjoy envious prosperity.
 
It is this dichotomy that prompted further examination of the topic and the research question: “Can Small Towns Be Cool?”

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