According to a new three-year Gallup study of 26 cities across the United States, growth in local GDP can be tied to peoples' love and passion for their communities. The findings also suggest that social offerings, openness, and beauty are significantly more important factors in fostering community attachment than are perceptions of the local economy or safety issues.
" 'This study is important because its findings about emotional attachment to place point to a new perspective that we encourage leaders to consider; it is especially valuable as we aim to strengthen our communities during this tough economic time,' said Paula Ellis, Knight Foundation's vice president for strategic initiatives."
