Ohio teachers say investing in workers boosts rural communities

By Farah Siddiqi

As rural communities across the country struggle with hospital closures, shrinking job opportunities and higher cost of living, educators in Ohio said it is time for federal policies to prioritize working people.

The new report by the Rural Democracy Initiative outlines what supporters call a roadmap to rebuild local economies from the ground up.

Melissa Cropper, president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers, said the report’s recommendations are based on four pillars: reining in corporate greed, investing in infrastructure, ensuring fairness and protecting natural resources.

"It is all about empowering workers and giving them fair opportunities, good jobs, good benefits," Cropper explained.

Cropper pointed out the recent government shutdown has deepened inequality, especially in rural areas where residents face compounding challenges. The report represented contributions from 40 groups nationwide, including educators, small-business owners, and farmers. It argued shifting focus from corporate tax breaks to investments in people can lower costs, increase wages and strengthen rural economies.

Cropper argued when workers are supported with fair pay and safe conditions, entire communities benefit.

"More investment in people instead of into corporations," Cropper urged. "That means that you're also making sure that they're able to afford things, afford groceries, able to afford housing, making sure that tax cuts benefit the average person, not tax cuts that benefit corporations."

Cropper added recent federal budget cuts have made it harder for working families to access affordable health care and stable jobs. Supporters of the report said investing in workers and communities offers a path toward strengthening local economies and improving quality of life in rural Ohio.