Overcoming rural challenges.

• Position: REGIONAL REPORT - Brief article

Tom Barney, CEO of Osprey Packs, believes the common thread for successful regional businesses is a certain amount "scrappiness." For example, since Osprey has manufacturing contracts in Vietnam and a design studio in California, the company uses remote-controlled servo cameras to keep an eye on its new packs.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate employs its own fleet of eight temperature-controlled 18-wheelers and nine full-time drivers to deliver products across 41 states. For efficiency and cost savings, fleet drivers backhaul ingredients and packaging. They also transport medium-sized loads for local companies, such as batches of beer, coffee or Durango Soda Company's Zuberfizz and Coco...