Rural Sustainable Prosperity: Social Enterprise Ecosystems as a Framework for Sustainable Rural Development

The fourth wave of economic development has ushered in social enterprises (SEs) that have the potential to contribute to sustainable development goals (SDGs) in rural regions that have not prospered under the economic development strategies of the past. This study examines three SEs that have emerged at different times in Appalachian Ohio, a region recognized as a rural area recovering from the environmental and health consequences of extractive industries and poverty over the last century. The social entrepreneurial ecosystem (SEE) in this region has begun to thrive recently, rendering now a crucial time to evaluate the conditions that have led to success. Using qualitative methods, three cases were coded to identify whether present-day SEs in rural Appalachia (1) realize values for natural resource stewardship and community wellness in addition to economic profits (a triple bottom line), (2) attract external funds that are retained in the local economy, and (3) align with SDGs. Evidence of these qualities in SEs manifested in different ways across the three cases. Stage two coding revealed findings that (1) the university acted as a catalyzing agent and (2) collective action by generational families was foundational for the social capital that kick-started each case. As the natural capital recovers in the region, opportunities for the SEE to nurture new enterprises aligned with the triple bottom line will increase SDGs. The SEE of Appalachian Ohio offers a model for sustainable development in dispersed rural locations.