Since there seem to be greater differences among cities and among rural areas than between the two categories, community developers should base their strategies on other criteria, such as education, economic or income levels, decision making patterns, organizational participation, and mobility. (LY)

Presents a philosophical and theoretical critique of community development's transformation into economic development. Introduces a successful rural revitalization process termed "community encouragement" and integrates a community's traditional values with progressive revitalization plans. (JOW)

Focuses on the issue of selecting the unit of analysis when employing secondary data in rural community studies and provides an empirical demonstration of the influence of selecting one unit of analysis over another. (JOW)

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)

Community surveys in rural Pennsylvania (393 responses) investigated how residents view women in their local community. Results suggest that women are as involved as men and perceive similar characteristics as important to being influential, but their underrepresentation as leaders has resulted in perceptions that women are not very influential.…

Rural reflation is a term for a small-scale socioeconomic approach to building livable economics in both depressed rural communities and rapid growth areas. With public participation, informed leadership, and organizational entrepreneurship, leaders can help citizens develop their community's niche in the world economy. (Author)

Deadwood, South Dakota, and Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek, Colorado, legalized gambling; in South Dakota, most earnings are earmarked for historic preservation, but in Colorado, they go into the general fund. Success in job creation, investment, and tourism has been accompanied by increased social problems. (SK)

Anomalies found in the application of Warren's "great change" theory to Haskell County, Kansas, led to use of multiple approaches including the ecological, interactional, and critical theoretical frameworks. These techniques expanded the understanding of social relations and social change in rural communities. (SK)

Addresses the problems associated with deliberation: (1) hyperindividualism; (2) limited public dialog; and (3) increased hegemony of science and technology. Describes the naturalistic evaluation model used in rural Kentucky to critique the application of the National Issues Forum methodology. (JOW)

Discusses factors affecting attitudes of community leaders and residents toward community change. Leaders' and residents' attitudes are compared. Presents strategies for more effective local action relevant to community development practitioners. (JOW)

Data from Oregon communities, 1949-1989, show dramatic changes in income between urban centers and rural communities at the periphery. Coping strategies for rural areas include cartels, self-sufficiency, community sustainability, harmonized interests with urban cores, and changing community identity. (Author/SK)

Examined the network density, size, and organizational memberships of identified community leaders and other residents in two rural Missouri communities. Leaders had larger, more dense, and diffuse networks and more organizational memberships than others. (Author)

Four nonmetropolitan communities were selected for an experimental program designed to train local citizens in general procedures of economic impact research. A handbook easily used by lay persons was developed, but a broad base of citizen involvement in research could not be developed. (Author/SK)

Examines the disruptive effects of a public-private effort to introduce an innovative venture intended to spur economic development in a small, southern, rural community. Suggests that entrepreneurial activity is most likely to occur under the conditions described in the conflict model of community power. (JOW)

Explores some of the more important changes that are occurring because of the farm crisis and discusses how they affect rural community development needs. Examines (1) characteristics of those failing in agriculture; (2) changes in farm production practices resulting from the crisis; and (3) problems experienced by farmers and farm families. (JOW)