Even before the pandemic struck, rural American communities were suffering, and the blow from this new downturn could hurt even more. But a new book is optimistic that small towns can thrive, if they learn to embrace the innovations of the future.

Wyoming Public Radio's Melodie Edwards spoke with Don Albrecht, author of Building a Resilient Twenty First Century Economy for Rural America. Albrecht is the director of the Western Rural Development Center at Utah State University.

Albrecht says the first step to attracting global workers to small towns will be making sure high speed internet is readily available.

Have a question about this story? Contact the reporter, Melodie Edwards, at medward@uwyo.edu.