Why Do Cash-Strapped Rural Communities and Governments Have Rich Citizens?

Boom times in oil and agriculture have brought new wealth to people in many rural counties. But the money in bank accounts isn’t translating into more money for government.

Rural communities across the country are struggling to pay for needed services, and roads are at the top of their lists. But most of those communities are relatively poor. Wells County is rich. Really rich. In the five years ending in 2012, the average personal income per capita in Wells grew by three-quarters, reaching about $78,000. That compares to a national average of $44,652 for last year. Local government is strapped for funds here because the citizens don’t want to spend the money to pay for it.

by Liz Farmer

Full Story: http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/gov-rich-counties-strapped-governments.html