A recent article asserted that widespread adoption of remote work policies by companies would lead to a significant revitalization of rural economies. The author argued that as urban employees relocate to rural areas, they would bring their disposable income, professional skills, and demand for services, thereby stimulating local businesses and creating new opportunities in previously stagnant regions. Which of the following, if true, would most strongly suggest that the author's prediction is overly optimistic?
Correct: C
The author predicts a 'significant revitalization of rural economies' due to remote workers bringing 'disposable income, professional skills, and demand for services' to stimulate local businesses. To show this is 'overly optimistic,' we need a reason why this stimulation might not occur as expected. Choice C directly undermines the mechanism of stimulating *local* businesses. If remote workers continue to spend their disposable income on urban-based e-commerce, that money does not flow into and stimulate the local rural economy, making the revitalization less significant or non-existent. While B and D point to other potential problems, they address challenges related to infrastructure or social equity, not directly the economic revitalization mechanism itself as strongly as C does. Choice A is less relevant to the *impact* of those who *do* relocate. Choice E points to a misalignment of skills but not necessarily a failure of economic stimulation from demand for services and disposable income.