Another example of agglomeration effects

I write about agglomeration economies a fair amount (the Reilly law is an example) when it comes to commercial district revitalization as well as repositioning local economies around new industries.

Some time ago, I meant to mention this blog entry, "The Rural Church Dilemma" from Christian Communicators Worldwide. (I came across my notes while cleaning the house desk in advance of holiday guests.) The way this entry descirbes smaller churches in rural areas losing parishioners to bigger churches in the greater region is a perfect example of the agglomeration effect. Just like people choosing between commercial districts or stores are more likely to go to the better place/store, and the better location continues to grow as a result of greater patronage, churches with more activities, parishioners, etc., are more likely to grow at the expense of smaller churches unable to "compete" with the same breadth of offerings.

See this story from the New York Times, "Beacons of Faith Are Dimming on the Prairie."