Examines the job-generating activities in 15 rural counties in Maryland through 175 interviews and field work. Those ranking high included industrial park development, economic development activities, and tourism. Special financial arrangements for relocating and new businesses also received high marks. Includes 48 references. (JOW)

Current Population Survey data were used to assess the quality of service sector jobs in rural areas and compare them to manufacturing jobs. Results showed that community investment to attract service jobs should be at an appropriate level relative to job quality and be made with an understanding of the risks. (SK)

An analysis of 51 manufacturing and nonmanufacturing industries indicates a substantial variation among different types of businesses with respect to the type of workers hired. The analysis is extended to form a typology of industries that is useful to local development groups in formulating a strategy to employ groups of special concern.…

In this article, the relationship between community economic development and transfer payments is considered. It is argued that fundamental restructuring of society is changing the context for community economic development. Possible local strategies to capture cash transfers are discussed, including successful examples of development based on…

Evaluation of 78 multicommunity development organizations (MDOs) sharing economic development resources found that MDOs with higher levels of job retention were in areas with low per-capita income and more manufacturing. MDOs with larger staffs and budgets were more successful at job creation and retention. Community size and MDO age also…

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)