Breaking the Doom Loop: Building Resilient Communities
Recently, Shawn Herhusky from IRRRB, Crystal Royer from United Way of NE MN, and Staci Gilpin from Rural Pathways discussed important ideas about strengthening communities on LinkedIn.
By bringing together several powerful concepts, the conversation revealed a clear path forward to community prosperity. Read on or listen to a podcast version here (10:17).
Understanding the Doom Loop and Flywheel Effect
Shawn explored two key ideas from Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great: the “doom loop” and the “flywheel effect.” A doom loop happens when unresolved issues lead to ongoing negative cycles, worsening problems. On the other hand, the flywheel effect is about creating positive momentum through consistent, small actions leading to long-term success.
Crystal highlighted that careful decision-making is critical because even small decisions can greatly impact community health. To build on this, Staci introduced the “8 forms of wealth capital” from WealthWorks. This expands our view of wealth beyond money, including social, intellectual, and environmental resources, emphasizing their role in creating resilient and thriving communities.
Social Wealth and SWEIs
Crystal also shared that these ideas connect strongly with Social Wealth Economic Indicators (SWEIs), which stress investing in the care of people and our environment. Unlike traditional measures such as GDP, SWEIs demonstrate the true economic and social value of caring activities, and the high costs when they are ignored. The U.S. currently falls behind other developed nations in recognizing and investing in these crucial areas.
When we unite the concepts of doom loops, flywheel effects, WealthWorks, and SWEIs, a clear pathway emerges. Investing in care for people and nature becomes not just beneficial but essential for community health, economic strength, and social stability.
Practical Example: Economic Benefits of Child Care
Reflecting further on our LinkedIn interactions brought to mind the following example. Investing in accessible child care and early childhood education clearly illustrates these interconnected ideas. While such investments may initially seem costly, they offer significant and lasting advantages:
Families become financially stable, with more resources for essentials like food and education.
Children achieve better outcomes through quality early education.
Local economies grow as more people participate in the workforce.
Communities become stronger, healthier, and more resilient.
To learn more about the economic benefits of child care, read our article from February 2025.
Mapleton’s Innovative Child Care Solution
Mapleton, MN, will be home to the first Child Care House in the U.S. Click the image above for a 2-page PDF overview of the project.
Led by the Mapleton Economic Development Authority (EDA)—highlighting the significant economic impact of child care—Mapleton, Minnesota, brought these ideas to life through its innovative Child Care House project. In collaboration with Rural Pathways, which secured funding from Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), private foundations, and the local business community, and with oversight from Business of Child Care, Mapleton established a welcoming, safe, and affordable licensed child care facility. This initiative underscores the importance of child care as foundational to economic growth, workforce stability, and community appeal.
Highlights of Mapleton’s Child Care House:
Providing care for up to 12 children
Offering convenient access near the local school
Launching quickly (in approximately 9 months)
Receiving strong support from local businesses and community groups
Mapleton’s project clearly demonstrates the flywheel effect, transforming a community challenge into a valuable resource. This innovative approach aligns seamlessly with Mapleton’s history of proactive placemaking activities, showcasing their consistent dedication to community development and improvement. To learn more about the Mapleton Child Care House, check out our article from February 2025.
Extending Concepts to Housing
The principles behind avoiding doom loops and promoting flywheel effects apply directly to housing as well. Communities lacking safe, affordable housing face ongoing negative effects, such as increased poverty and health problems. By contrast, investing in quality housing creates positive cycles that enhance health, education, economic stability, and overall community quality of life.
Building Community Resilience
Crystal introduced “imperturbability,” meaning remaining calm and steady even when faced with challenges. When communities thoughtfully apply ideas like doom loops, flywheel effects, WealthWorks, and SWEIs, they can make strategic investments that foster long-term success. This thoughtful approach builds resilience, helping communities stay strong and stable even during tough times.
A Call to Action
By combining the concepts of doom loops, flywheel effects, WealthWorks, and SWEIs, we have a clear pathway forward. Let's commit to becoming imperturbable communities by purposefully investing in child care, education, housing, and other supportive services. Prioritizing care for people and nature ensures a stable, resilient, and prosperous future for everyone.
Citation: Anderson, Charity & Gilpin, Staci. (2025). Breaking the Doom Loop: Building Resilient Communities. Rural Pathways News.
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