Alex Leme- On Small Towns and Doubt

“With the gradual but steady rise of agri-business, the loss of small, family-owned and run farms, and the century-long exodus of rural populations to urban centers, farming communities have been suffering a slow and painful decline for decades."

"Loss of jobs, economically shattered families, failed businesses, de-population, and a general malaise of perceived worthlessness are common features of conversations that run through many small towns in America."

"What once was a relatively thriving center and one of the fastest growing communities in Eastern Arkansas, now we find a town littered with ghost factories, abandoned schools, and the carcasses of crumbling buildings while the handful of the remaining local stores struggle to survive."

"My central aim is to raise awareness about the situation witnessed throughout rural America and to promote a more serious discussion around the subject." — Alex Leme