In response to economic change, there are associated social changes (Pezzini
2001). These have to do with job losses and out-migration among the working age
and business community (Halseth et al. 2004). Job losses in primary sector industries
294 G. Halseth, C. Meiklejohn
are affecting not only the economic but also the social viability of rural and small
town communities as markets for retail and public sector services are reduced. This
can create a vicious circle of closures and populations losses. Where available
services remain, rural and small town places are often left with an aging or servicedependent
population (Hanlon and Halseth 2005).