Purpose This paper examines the role of local market-based communities in driving regional revitalization, using detailed analysis of online networks. We aim to dissect a local community's communication network, highlighting members with high engagement levels and exploring their characteristics. Our goal is to identify the conditions that allow local community networks to grow independently and to demonstrate how the activation of these networks contributes to regional revitalization. Design/methodology/approach We employ a mixed-methods approach, combining social network analysis with statistical techniques to investigate the structure of online communication networks. Specifically, we use ANOVA to determine the statistical significance of our findings, ensuring their reliability. To complement our quantitative data, we include qualitative insights from interviews, adding depth and context to our analysis. Findings Our results show that individuals with high centrality in the online network are crucial for maintaining active local communities. We find that leveraging local resources to create a supportive and adaptable environment is essential for the communities' sustainability and expansion. Importantly, our research draws a direct connection between the vitality of local community networks and the broader process of regional revitalization. We argue that energizing local communities is an effective way to address the risk of regional decline. By integrating quantitative analysis with qualitative feedback, this study contributes to the understanding of local market-based communities as key drivers of regional development. It emphasizes the importance of building vibrant, resourceful community networks to revitalize areas experiencing socio-economic challenges.