Members of Congress representing Middle America have been talking about the challenges facing the Midwest for years, but our warnings have largely fallen on deaf ears.

Why? Because too often, Congress doesn’t act on a problem until it becomes a crisis.

Many communities in the Midwest, particularly rural communities, are close to that point. Without immediate action, the heart of the nation may stop beating.

The problems facing the Midwest are cyclical. Small towns are getting smaller and disappearing because there are no job opportunities for younger generations. Without jobs, young people leave.

Without fresh blood to start new businesses and build up communities, they fall into disrepair. Shrinking populations also mean fewer kids in schools and customers at local grocery stores and restaurants, resulting in fewer jobs and smaller city budgets. And the cycle repeats itself.

What can be done to reverse the cycle? Enact policies that cultivate a sustainable business environment in small communities.

Finding and implementing solutions to fundamental challenges will go a long way toward improving economic conditions in our small and rural communities.

As rural communities and Middle America grow stronger, so does the rest of the nation.