Describes the founding philosophy and everyday life in a company that specializes in the recycling and salvaging of materials. The venture is described as an example of combined job creation, profit potential, and conservation. (CH)

The Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, a local development district based in Venango County, focuses on nourishing small business development and entrepreneurship in business incubators owned by local governments. One of the region's resources is the nation's first "teaching factory," which provides job…

The author describes a community-based program to assist new business ventures with such tasks as developing a business plan, obtaining funding, and marketing the product. Examples of various small businesses the program has helped are included. (CH)

In Sierra Leone, two church-sponsored programs are focused on sustainable development. The Wesleyan Development Education and Awareness Programme trains people to initiate community projects. Women's Loan Scheme encourages development of small-scale enterprises. (SK)

Describes the approach of the Economic and Employment Division of the Melbourne (Australia) City Council to creating jobs. The division started a business to recycle used lumber into furniture, providing training and jobs for several people. Following the success of that business, several new ventures were started with private funding. (CH)

Consists of an interview with one of the founders of the Canticle Bakery in Melbourne, Australia. The bakery was developed as a nonprofit venture and provides employment for about 13 young people as well as the founders. Emphasis is placed on quality of product and quality of work life. (CH)

Describes the efforts of a group of young women who, drawing on the support of community organizations, established a catering service that provides a low cost, culturally diverse range of foods in an area where that option was not previously available. Discussion focuses on starting the company, dealing with competition, and job satisfaction. (CH)

Describes the Onarga Project, in which a group of business students worked with the people of Onarga, Illinois, to revitalize a dying community, and how business teachers can incorporate some of the ideas to improve students' understanding of small business. Discusses preliminary planning, project activities, and specific learning activities to…

Describes various programs in Appalachia that offer small loans and extensive technical assistance and training to entrepreneurs that operate microbusinesses (businesses with five or fewer employees). Discusses the potential of entrepreneurs and microbusinesses to stimulate economic development in small towns and rural areas such as Garrett…

Many small towns are considering community-based start-up funds (SUF) to foster development and retention of small businesses. But whether a community is large or small, a group must be well-organized before it begins to make decisions concerning the design and purpose of a small-business SUF. This primer highlights some main points a community…

Explains and illustrates features of community economic development (CDC) organizations using two Canadian examples (Learnxs Foundation, Inc., and Learning Enrichment Foundation). Proposes CDCs as a way to improve youth employment and community development. Discusses youth employment programs in Germany, Austria, Britain, and the United States and…

In 1981, Jackson County, North Carolina, appeared on the first list of "distressed counties" in Appalachia. Since then, the rural county has made significant improvements by investing in its physical infrastructure (which also promotes tourism); fostering economic-development partnerships among governments, small businesses, and local…

A partnership of nongovernmental organizations developed a model of integrated community development centers (CDICs) to address the lack of services and affordable basic necessities in poor barrios surrounding many Latin American cities. A CDIC in a Guayaquil (Ecuador) barrio provides wholesale goods and credit to barrio shopkeepers and…

In response to economic hardships affecting agriculture, small business, and manufacturing in Iowa, the Eastern Iowa Community College District (EICCD) initiated an economic development strategy aimed at the expansion of the employment base, diversification, assistance to existing businesses to increase their markets, and entrepreneurship. Spurred…

Universities today exert an ever-increasing stimulus to small business development, contributing to national and local economic development as the general economy becomes increasingly knowledge-based. The transition to a knowledge-based economy, coupled with the passage of the Bayh-Dole Act in 1980, has resulted in stronger university-industry…