Navigating industrial decline: A case study of place attachment and social capital in economic transition –Valemount, British Columbia

Valemount, a small town situated in the heart of British Columbia (BC), has long relied on the forest industry as its economic foundation. The closure of the local mills greatly impacted the community, disrupting its economic stability and social relations. Despite the harsh economic conditions faced by resource towns, limited senior government intervention forces local communities to self-organize and adapt to changing economic landscapes. This case study investigates three key questions: First, how does place attachment contribute to the formation of social capital? Second, how does the resulting social capital facilitate community responses to economic transitions? Finally, what forms of tension or resistance emerged during these transition processes? The study suggests that rural economic transitions are influenced by the inherent social dynamics and emotional connections within communities. It highlights that social capital alone does not drive community-led initiatives, adaptive governance, and collaborative problem-solving; rather, its effectiveness is largely influenced by place attachment. By recognizing and leveraging social connections through people's attachment to their community, small resource towns can harness collective strengths to navigate economic challenges and create sustainable futures. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how place attachment drives social capital mobilization during economic downturns, while also examining the resistance and conflicts that shape these processes, contributing to the broader research on place-based development. •Industrial decline often disrupts economic stability and social fabric.•Neoliberal state polices limit government intervention, burdening communities to self-organize and adapt to economic change.•Place attachment spurs efforts to strengthen social cohesion and ties amidst industrial decline.•Tensions during the transition process underscore the complexities of navigating economic change in small resource-dependent towns.