It always comes down to supply and demand – unless the public sector is involved.

In Brocton, the village’s only bank announced in the spring it would be closing its location that serves the municipality. Since then, village officials have reached out to other financial institutions but have not heard back either way.

“The bank has made a notification that they will be closing before year end,” said village Mayor David Hazelton. “I’ve checked with state and federal banking departments to inquire who regulates that branch, and under federal banking regulations they are within their rights to close. I have talked with a savings and loan institution and two commercial banks to find interest in moving into that space, so far I haven’t had a response positive, or negative.”

Brocton may end up with another institution in the future, but for now, prospects seem dim. Demand for a village bank has decreased as the population and money supply in the village has decreased.

Banks need to make a profit, unlike public institutions funded by taxpayer dollars. Once the profit margin for a bank – or any business declines – changes must be made.

Someday, local residents are going to have to consider changes to traditions to the abundance of government and schools. Forestville is already going through those motions.

Our landscape of public entities is mind-boggling and flies in the face of simple economics. Demand for these high-priced entities and school districts, ironically, continues despite a population supply that has decreased – and truly has trouble affording all of it.