Energy in the form of electricity is a hot topic among tribes within the Western Regional Air Partnership (WRAP). For too many people, energy is too expensive, not reliable, or even nonexistent. For many tribal members, up to 20 or 30 percent of income is spent on energy, which is unbelievably high compared to nontribal people in the same area.…

This report provides a conceptual model of how a business develops and grows in Wisconsin and results from a survey of entrepreneurs. Part I provides the background and develops the conceptual model. It defines small business, discusses entrepreneurial characteristics, describes stages of business development, and considers barriers encountered by…

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…

Case studies of six interorganizational collaborations for job training and economic development found that these exemplary arrangements produced other benefits, providing flexible and adaptive capability for dealing with long-term economic development processes. A planning and development model to replicate successful linkages was developed. (SK)

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.…

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.…

This case study illustrates how one home economist became involved in community economic development and quality of life improvement. Among the techniques she used were quality of life awareness, community outreach, partnership, needs assessment, and response. (SK)

Vocational educators have finally realized that they can offer more to economic development and job creation activities than just training. At places where this realization has spurred action, building linkages and opening channels of communication, vocational programs are succeeding in their efforts to increase employment opportunities. (CT)

Data from the 1970 and 1980 censuses showed that (1) occupational and industrial segregation declined; (2) high employment growth in an occupation was associated with the decline; and (3) high employment growth is associated with improvements in relative female earnings. Results suggest that sex discrimination is lower in sectors where demand is…

An Enterprise Zone Working Group brought together enterprise zone directors, Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) program administrators, and private industry council representatives from the state and local levels. It discussed ways in which employment and training programs could better coordinate with development activities in enterprise zones.…

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…

It is the job of business education teachers to take an active role in developing entrepreneurs. Teachers should give encouragement and training to aspiring entrepreneurs, and assist them in establishing and expanding their own businesses. (CT)

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…