This document describes a wide variety of successful experiences in creating employment and better incomes through economic growth. These descriptions tell how local initiative, aided by programs of the Economic Development Administration (U.S. Department of Commerce), transformed ideas into job opportunities. Programs are described for the states of North Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Maine, Oregon, Illinois, Missouri, Georgia, Minnesota, California, Ohio, Colorado, West Virginia, New Mexico, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Alaska, Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee and Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. (SH)