I am an investor in vacant land. As such, I sometimes believe I have an effect on a local economy by finding a new use for the land that brings in buyers from outside the community, thereby adding primary spending power to the community.

For example, I might purchase unused, vacant land, divide it up, and sell it as recreation land to outsiders who build cabins and cottages on the property. As they build, they utilize local retailers and service providers. As they use their property on weekends and during vacation, they spend money in the local economy.

I understand that in some circumstances I might just be meeting a local demand, in which case I am not creating primary demand. However, in some instances, by changing the use of the property and promoting it outside of the local economy, I maintain that I am acting to bring in spending power to the community that would not otherwise exist. In this case, I am acting as an agent of economic development for that community.

So, I believe real estate can be a primary industry under some circumstances.