EM Contingency Group Featured in BizWeekly: Why Housing Is the Key to Economic Growth in Small-Town America
- elizbarnes
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
I recently had the opportunity to contribute an article to BizWeekly discussing an issue that is becoming increasingly important across rural America: housing availability and its direct connection to economic growth.
Many people think of housing as simply a real estate issue, but in smaller communities it is actually one of the biggest drivers of economic development. Employers can bring jobs, but if workers and their families have nowhere to live, growth stalls before it even begins. Communities across the country are starting to see this firsthand.
Read the full article on BizWeekly:https://bizweekly.com/why-housing-is-the-key-to-economic-growth-in-small-town-america/
In the article, I discuss how housing shortages are increasingly becoming a bottleneck for smaller communities trying to attract employers and expand their local economies. Large cities have long dealt with housing constraints, but the same pressures are now reaching rural areas where development historically moved at a slower pace.
From my perspective as a builder and developer working throughout North Mississippi and Northwest Alabama, this challenge is becoming more visible every year. Companies looking to expand into smaller markets often find that the workforce is available, the infrastructure is in place, and the community is eager for growth—but the housing supply simply hasn’t kept up.
This is one of the reasons we focus heavily on residential development and workforce housing through our construction company, EM Contingency Group, and our residential division, Hexalon Homes. Increasing housing availability is not just about building homes; it is about supporting local economies, helping communities grow responsibly, and making it possible for families and employers to put down roots.
Small towns across America have tremendous potential. Many already have the workforce, land, infrastructure, and quality of life people are looking for. But without sufficient housing, that potential can’t fully be realized.
The conversation around housing is evolving quickly, and I believe communities that address it proactively will be the ones that attract new investment, new employers, and long-term economic stability.
About the Author
Mario Barnes is a construction executive, real estate developer, and founder of EM Contingency Group and its residential division, Hexalon Homes. He works throughout North Mississippi and Northwest Alabama developing residential housing and addressing workforce housing shortages in rural communities. Barnes writes and speaks about housing supply, rural economic development, and construction industry trends.
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