Starting a successful business, whether in a rural setting or anywhere else, you follow the same basic outline. You need to find an opportunity, determine if there is a market and a need for your idea, and determine if you can reach the market at a profitable level. Finding the opportunity is probably one of the harder tasks. One way to start is to look at what businesses exist in rural areas similar to your own. Also do not forget that the Internet provides niche markets that you can tap.
A good place to learn about starting and evaluating a rural business opportunity, go to the USDA article: Evaluating a Rural Enterprise.
Starting a business in a rural area is much the same as starting a business anywhere. You can find lots of information at the Small Business Administration website: http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/index.html.
Small businesses play a vital role in supporting rural communities. They add jobs and generate revenue. They also provide quality of life options for individuals and families.
