A new publication titled “Reluctant entrepreneurs or embracing marketization” sheds light on the growing trend of municipal entrepreneurialism in rural Canada. In response to decades of neoliberal policy shifts and mounting infrastructure challenges, rural governments across four provinces have turned to municipal enterprises as a tool for generating revenue and supporting community development. However, the research highlights a complex balancing act between economic innovation and governance strain.

The study reveals that while municipal enterprises offer new opportunities for local development, they also introduce tensions between strategic municipal goals and the independent priorities of enterprise boards. Rural communities often struggle with limited fiscal and staff capacity, which makes launching and managing these enterprises difficult. Further complicating matters is the lack of a robust regulatory framework, leaving municipalities vulnerable to governance conflicts and potential loss of local control.

As Canadian rural communities continue to adapt to economic pressures, this research emphasizes the need for clearer policy guidance and capacity-building support to ensure municipal enterprises can genuinely serve the public good without compromising local autonomy.

Check out the publication at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15575330.2025.2525802.