A vision that many small cities and towns may have is to be a participant in the global economy. With 21st Century communication and transportation systems, it is realistic to expect to have successful businesses in the local economic base that have customers, employees and suppliers located throughout the world. In fact, it is highly unusual for a local economy to be totally disconnected from worldwide economic trade.
It is equally as likely that international businesses will want to be a supplier, a producer or an employer in an American small town.