New data show small local firms create less than a third of new jobs in rural areas and are unreliable employment sources because many fail within their first 5 years of business. Local planners should consider mix of corporate affiliates offering potential of many jobs and small independent firms. (NEC)

Aimed at stimulating new jobs in Appalachia, especially through creation/expansion of small businesses, the 1986 workshop attracted 200 participants from throughout the region, including state and local officials and community and business leaders. Workshops addressed new developments in capital opportunities, market development strategies,…

Through 1987, 10 percent of foreign investment was in nonmetro counties; 44 percent of this was in the South; and 38 percent of nonmetro foreign investment created new jobs (versus 17 percent in metro areas). Foreign investors chose nonmetro areas with low wages, lack of unionization history, good transportation access, and government incentives.…

West Virginia Governor Arch Moore discusses past and present changes in the Appalachian Region and in West Virginia spurred by the Appalachian Regional Commission. Changes in West Virginia's tax structure, job creation, economic diversification, and public energy facilities are noted as efforts to prepare for the future. (NEC)

Case studies on recreation, tourism, retirement homes, and information processing and distribution centers illustrate service industries subject to deliberate economic stimulation. The panel concludes that Appalachian communities may be missing major opportunities for development due to misunderstandings and "myths" about the economic…

Examines case studies of special public works programs in five countries (Burkina Faso, Burundi, Rwanda, Nepal, and United Republic of Tanzania) that included afforestation projects, anti-erosion works, and the building of reservoirs. Discusses program design, implementation, and impact. (CH)

Some 280 industry, education, labor, and state and local government leaders exchanged information about how Appalachian programs can harness technology to make traditional industries more competitive, package capital for job-creating industries and business, launch service industries, match education with jobs, and fit displaced workers into the…

A national survey uncovered 105 (of a sample of 600) projects that met criteria defining local self-development. The activities produced a variety of jobs for local residents. Costs and availability of credit were major obstacles. Local business/industry development projects tended to produce the most jobs at the least cost. (SK)

Describes funding of rural economic development by the Urban Development Action Grants program, 1978-88. Examines program operation, distribution of funds by region and industry, and costs per job created. Suggests that capital subsidy programs that require substantial investment by recipient firms can effectively stimulate rural growth. (SV)

Business incubators can help fledgling firms get off the ground by providing business services and rental space, at below-market costs, for a business's first few years. The payoff for the community is more jobs. Concentrated until recently in urban areas, incubators are now succeeding in rural areas too. (JHZ)

Examines rural social trends and implications of current information age for rural development. Predicts rising number of small-scale service organizations, benefiting rural areas. Examines other factors tempering optimism that rural areas can benefit from information age. Recommends investment in rural human capital, information structures, and…

An Appalachian Regional Commission-sponsored conference on entrepreneurship stressed that the availability of investment capital is important to economic development in Appalachia and other rural areas, but it is not enough. A local social and business culture that embraces entrepreneurship and risk-taking must be developed through…

This article draws on the findings of seven country studies of youth employment programs in Africa (Botswana, Somalia, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Mauritius). Considered are public service/public works programs, agricultural development, employable skills development and vocationalization of education, and national youth services. (SK)

Describes Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation (KHIC), a nonprofit community development organization that creates jobs and helps small manufacturing businesses succeed in nine "perpetually poor" rural Kentucky counties. Outlines KHIC services: loans for both expansion and working capital; equity and real estate investments;…

Examines changes in rural economies, and stresses the declining importance of resource-based industries (farming, forestry, mining) in most. Points to future growth in service sector, suggesting rural areas increase access to education, capital, telecommunications, and transportation to attract development. Contains graphs, table, and 20…