Broadband touches nearly every aspect of the U.S. economy, providing Americans with unprecedented opportunities in employment, education, health care, entrepreneurship, and civic participation. For millions of Americans without adequate access to broadband, however, the possibility of falling behind in the knowledge-based economy is real.…

Shoals Entrepreneurial Center, in two Alabama locations, supports would-be entrepreneurs with extensive planning advice, rental space, loans, business training, and back-office infrastructure. The center favors business plans with the potential to create fairly high-paying jobs, a different focus from other businesses in the region, and an…

This guidebook presents 64 profiles of successful economic development initiatives in the small towns and rural areas of 37 states. Intended for use by rural and small town leaders and rural economic development specialists, the guide provides ideas, encouragement, and an "insider perspective" on alternative rural development strategies.…

Schuykill County, Pennsylvania, has launched a coordinated community development effort with six areas of focus (economic development, education, infrastructure, quality of life, government, and private-sector leadership) and four overall goals: job creation, increased earnings, improved education, and lowered poverty rate. Interlinked projects…

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;…

Driven by restructuring, marketplace competition, and technological change, rural electric co-ops are implementing early retirement and severance packages, instituting staffing changes to reflect changing functions and needed skills, hiring business managers to develop business strategies and marketing plans, providing consumer-choice advocates,…

This collection contains 20 case studies illustrating some of the contributions Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) programs have made to economic development and job creation efforts in rural areas. The collection is a companion volume to the monograph entitled "Rural Job Creation--a Study of CETA Linkages with Economic…

The importance of rural areas in Finland is discussed. Padasjoki is used as an example of the problems of a small rural town and the solutions: creation of jobs and changes in land and housing policies. The Padasjoki model in theory and practice is examined. (CT)

Describes rural implementation of the Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities program, which combines flexible long-term financing with strategic planning and performance benchmarking to empower impoverished communities to address structural problems comprehensively. Impressive 3-year results include job creation; improved community services;…

The Oklahoma State Department of Vocational-Technical Education has initiated a national demonstration project to develop and implement an entrepreneurship curriculum stressing new product and process development. Designed to stimulate entrepreneurship activities and create jobs in an economically depressed rural area, the project will involve (1)…

The Tasmanian (Australia) Office of Youth Affairs and Family conducted consultations concerning issues impacting young people living in rural and isolated areas. Eight workshops specifically for youth were attended by 123 young people. Five community forums were attended by 25-30 participants each. The difficulties of living in isolated situations…

This report to Congress describes the women in development programs, projects, and activities undertaken by the Agency for International Development (AID) during the period from 1978 through 1980. Information is provided concerning AID cooperation and support on preparations for the United Nations Decade for Women Copenhagen Conference. Presented…

An overview of rural development research in the United States Department of Agriculture's land grant environment focuses on southern 1862 and 1890 institutions. Although important to agricultural experiment stations, rural development research has received limited funding. A heterogeneous research program including human resources development,…

A perspective on the state of reservation development is provided in this document, which reports the results of a study conducted among 25 Indian reservations to determine the degree of integration between CETA Indian manpower plans and the Overall Economic Development Plans. An introductory chapter provides a history of the study and identifies…

This compendium, which is intended as a resource for state and local policymakers and practitioners to use in addressing work force development issues in their states, describes successful projects based on various work force development strategies in the areas of collaboration, empowerment, and systematic change. Some of the models included were…