The intense period of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota is in the rearview mirror. Operation Metro Surge dealt a real blow to the state's economy. Yet something striking also emerged at the same time: a vibrant civic culture. Coffee shops became warming houses. Barbershops turned into food banks. That impulse has a name: social capital. And research suggests it can be a genuine economic asset. For more, “Marketplace Morning Report” host Sabri Ben-Achour spoke with Marketplace's senior economics contributor Chris Farrell. The following is an edited transcript of their conversation. Sabri Ben-Achour: What exactly is social capital?Chris Farrell: OK, so social capital, which is sometimes called civic capital, it's hard to measure. But the term, it captures something real: this web of connections, shared values, and norms of behavior that bind people together. Robert Putnam is a political scientist at Harvard.Robert Putnam: Social capital is a general term for connecting and trusting other people and so on.Farrell: Putnam made the concept famous in his book, “Bowling Alone,” which was published 26 years ago. Ben-Achour: “Bowling Alone,” what a title. What did he find in the book?Farrell: OK, so “Bowling Alone.” It documented the long decline in the civic glue that once held American communities together: falling membership in the PTA, the Elks, and, yeah, bowling leagues. In sharp contrast, healthy social capital means more trust, more cooperation, more community resilience.Ben-Achour: So how does that affect an economy?Farrell: OK, so it’s just like, you take a computer or extra years of education, it can make workers more productive. Strong social networks can do the same thing. Higher levels of trust that can lead to increased commerce, promote innovation, and even foster economic growth. So, people who believe they can make a difference and trust their neighbors, they're more likely to engage with their community and promote the common good. And during Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities, neighbors organized carpools to drive fearful workers to their jobs. And small business owners — it was really striking — they went out of their way to help and support each other. Ben-Achour: Does that kind of civic energy last, once the crisis is over?Farrell: See, I think this is really the big question. I mean, we all know the urgency can fade. The moment may pass. Policy makers may fail to capitalize on the opportunity. And those are sobering realities. But the underlying idea remains intriguing, that the trust in these informal connections that were forged in these past few months becomes a platform for building a stronger, more vibrant economy in Minnesota and elsewhere. Miguel Hernandez, owner of the restaurant Lito’s Burritos in Minneapolis, is excited at the economic promise of healthy social capital.Miguel Hernandez: So, pop-ups will happen. Things will happen, things that we can make, even just a small restaurant, sustainably happen through the next months and/or years. Minneapolis, Minnesota, showed the whole world what we can do for each other, and I hope we can make it last.Farrell: So, the opportunity is there, if it’s seized.