Historically, the relationship between towns and surrounding farm families has ranged from suspicion to benign neglect. This book shows that rural America can be revived by uniting the interests of both farm and non-farm populations through value-added enterprises, especially those based on the principles of New Generation Cooperatives (NGCs). Instead of sending agricultural commodities out of the region to be processed, farmers and communities can collaborate to process the commodities locally, thereby adding value to the local rural economy.

In this edited volume, nationally recognized scholars discuss the on-going challenges to the agricultural sector such as declining farm subsidies and commodity prices, and the strategies used by rural communities to respond to economic decline. Specific attention is paid to the role of NGCs as a specific form of value-added agriculture which has helped some rural communities to prosper. The NGCs, however, extend well beyond traditional agriculture to include grocery stores, day care centers, and other businesses that have not always been profitable in small towns. The broader objective of the book is to show how increased collaboration among farm producers, small businesses, and community leaders can promote economic development in rural regions.

Nationally recognized scholars and practitioners examine opportunities in which services traditionally provided by local governments are offered by the private sector though a contract or are transferred to a private business completely. Many large U.S. cities have contracted services for many years. With the movement to rightsize governments in recent years there has been renewed interest by local governments in similar ventures. Privatization, in its many forms, is now seen as a viable alternative to traditional ways of providing public services and can bring substantial benefits to residents. With greater accountability being demanded and pressures on local officials to hold the line on or reduce taxes, efforts to find innovative service delivery methods will probably increase. Cities, such as Atlanta, Indianapolis, and Charlotte, are examples showing that contracts with private businesses can work to benefit all parties. Local officials must move ahead cautiously, and not all attempts at privatization or contracting have succeeded. Some cities, after an evaluation, have decided to provide services with municipal employees.

The main issues underlying privatization decisions will be addressed conceptually so that practitioners and academics benefit from a review of the current thinking on the issues. At the same time, exemplary practices and case studies are included so that readers can understand how privatization and managed competition have been implemented in local governments. Special attention is paid to administrative questions that may arise during the implementation process. For example, ways in which cities have worked with employees who fear displacement because of the privatization process are described. The book breaks new ground by including references to recent innovations in public-private partnerships and describing how privatization may evolve in the future.

The first book of its kind, this is a collection of essays on the financing of transportation in non-metropolitan areas in the United States. It reviews basic demographic trends and conditions of infrastructures at the present time while exploring a wide range of alternatives for improving them. Including contributions from local finance personnel, engineers and other government officials, Financing Local Infrastructure in Nonmetropolitan Areas is an exhaustive study of the problems facing local infrastructure, providing an invaluable resource for scholars, administrators, and laypersons whose jobs are affected by infrastructure issues, such as agricultural and business personnel.

Public-private partnerships are becoming increasingly important in the local economic development efforts of many cities. This collection of essays compares U.S. cities with those in western Europe. Conceptual issues are discussed, and comparisons at the city level illustrate the process, pitfalls, and results of such partnerships. Readers will be able to understand the types of partnership arrangements used in each country. Factors contributing to the success of these arrangements are discussed and compared. Scholars and students of local economic development and public finance, as well as public officials and economic development practitioners will benefit from the unique comparative framework used in this volume.

This work examines the main economic trends affecting rural areas today and the types of local programs that are being implemented in response. The lessening of federal government involvement since the Reagan administration has shifted the public policy focus, placing greater responsibility for economic development on local governments. With more states encountering financial austerity, even greater requirements for economic development activities will rest with local governments--especially in rural areas. The long-term effects of these developments on states and localities are analyzed, and suggestions are made for economic development initiatives that local governments can undertake.

These contributions by a range of experts on rural economic development will be of interest to scholars as well as policy-makers at the federal, state, and local levels.

Community visioning is key in helping local public officials and community leaders create a flourishing future for their cities, and is essential for the effective planning and implementation of these strategies. Visioning involves collaborative goal setting to motivate actions - of planners, citizens, and officials - in order to design and carry out a strategic planning process for the successful development of the community. The use of visioning since the 1980s has led to a wealth of information on the productivity of the paths it has taken. The contributors, all with experience working in the area, review the successes and failures of the strategies, and look at new innovations which are pushing the frontiers of community visioning. This review of the development of visioning focuses on small and medium sized communities in North America. It aims to guide citizens, local leaders and planners on what strategies are best to help them revitalise their communities and ensure a prosperous future.

While it is relatively easy to construct industrial development strategies and concessions to entice industrial clients, some incentives are not based on sound economic principles and may ultimately cost a local government more than the benefits derived from attracting the industry. Financing Economic Development in the 1980s provides a broad base of information on business trends, factors underlying location decisions, cost-effectiveness of public incentives, and the outlook for local government in declining areas, particularly the Midwest.

Entrepreneurship and Local Economic Development delves into the current thinking on local entrepreneurship development programs and evaluates ways in which practitioners can implement successful entrepreneurship practices. Examining the role and potential for entrepreneurship programs in local economic development strategies, contributors to this edited collection have many years of experience working with entrerpreneurship initiatives in state and local governments. Focused on theory and case study, Entrepreneurship and Local Economic Development examines conceptual issues involved in creating entrepreneurship programs as well as practical examples of programs organized by state, regional, and local agencies.

Entrepreneurship and Local Economic Development delves into the current thinking on local entrepreneurship development programs and evaluates ways in which practitioners can implement successful entrepreneurship practices. Examining the role and potential for entrepreneurship programs in local economic development strategies, contributors to this edited collection have many years of experience working with entrerpreneurship initiatives in state and local governments. Focused on theory and case study, Entrepreneurship and Local Economic Development examines conceptual issues involved in creating entrepreneurship programs as well as practical examples of programs organized by state, regional, and local agencies.

This volume presents a comprehensive overview of the current rural health environment by sorting topics into coverage of the demand for rural health, the supply of resources (facilities and personnel), the broad application of technology, and the roles of government policies and rural sociology. A major purpose is to guide those involved in decision making and planning to insure continued provision of health care for rural residents. A unique feature is the integration of innovative approaches throughout the work; there is a recognition that several rural institutions are undergoing transition and that fresh approaches are critical.

This work will be of interest to scholars, policy-makers, and practitioners in rural health care, health care facilities, and health care management.

a. The COVID-19 has changed the parameters of local economic development, especially in remote areas. Businesses and employees are comfortable working remotely so rural areas that are attractive places to live now have new opportunities. This scenario presents many opportunities for local development strategies in rural areas. Discussions in the book address these issues. This book will be especially timely in helping policymakers understand and implement potential policies. b. State and local policy makers have struggled for many years to find ways to revitalize declining rural areas that have lost businesses and faced population outmigration. Technology is now a game-changer and this book address what these changes can bring to nonmetro areas. c. There has been a definite movement to engage residents more directly in local issues and cause them to invest their time and financial resources in local businesses. Residents are responding in ways such as community owned business and other formats. This book provides insights into ways that rural places have succeeded in these local engagement efforts and how they can continue in the future.

1. This represents the first book to bring together a wide range of community development literature focusing on the theory, research, and application behind effective locally -driven disaster mitigation 2. This book will provide local governments, NGOs, citizen groups and others a body of knowledge to use as they prepare to respond to natural and manmade disasters. 3. This book will help to enhance government level responses to disaster by providing a companion structure for disaster response and recovery

This 50th anniversary publication provides a comprehensive history of community development. Beginning in 1970 with the advent of the Community Development Society and its journal shortly thereafter, Community Development, the editors have placed the chapters in major themed areas or issues pertinent to both research and practice of community development. The evolution of community development as an area of scholarship and application, and the subsequent founding of the discipline, is vital to capture. At the 50-year mark, it is particularly relevant to revisit issues that reoccur throughout the last five decades and look at approaches to addressing them. These include issues and themes around equity and inclusion, collective impact, leadership and policy development, as well as resilience and sustainability. Community change over time has much to teach us, and this set will provide a foundation for fostering understanding of the history of community development and its focus on community change. The chapters in this book were originally published in the journal Community Development.

--International case studies from the US, UK, Germany, Taiwan, Uganda, Italy, and Canada --As small communities, especially in rural areas, continue to lose population it will be even more important for them to rely on innovative financing approaches to retain quality of life. --Reviews the experiences in the countries identified along with approaches used to glean the common elements that make them successful and viable

--International case studies from the US, UK, Germany, Taiwan, Uganda, Italy, and Canada --As small communities, especially in rural areas, continue to lose population it will be even more important for them to rely on innovative financing approaches to retain quality of life. --Reviews the experiences in the countries identified along with approaches used to glean the common elements that make them successful and viable

This 50th anniversary publication provides a comprehensive history of community development. Beginning in 1970 with the advent of the Community Development Society and its journal shortly thereafter, Community Development, the editors have placed the chapters in major themed areas or issues pertinent to both research and practice of community development. The evolution of community development as an area of scholarship and application, and the subsequent founding of the discipline, is vital to capture. At the 50-year mark, it is particularly relevant to revisit issues that reoccur throughout the last five decades and look at approaches to addressing them. These include issues and themes around equity and inclusion, collective impact, leadership and policy development, as well as resilience and sustainability. Community change over time has much to teach us, and this set will provide a foundation for fostering understanding of the history of community development and its focus on community change. The chapters in this book were originally published in the journal Community Development.

This 50th anniversary publication provides a comprehensive history of community development. Beginning in 1970 with the advent of the Community Development Society and its journal shortly thereafter, Community Development, the editors have placed the chapters in major themed areas or issues pertinent to both research and practice of community development. The evolution of community development as an area of scholarship and application, and the subsequent founding of the discipline, is vital to capture. At the 50-year mark, it is particularly relevant to revisit issues that reoccur throughout the last five decades and look at approaches to addressing them. These include issues and themes around equity and inclusion, collective impact, leadership and policy development, as well as resilience and sustainability. Community change over time has much to teach us, and this set will provide a foundation for fostering understanding of the history of community development and its focus on community change. The chapters in this book were originally published in the journal Community Development.

Community visioning and strategic planning programs have become increasingly important in recent years as local governments in rural areas have searched for innovative ways to revitalize their local economies or manage population growth. A panel of experts describes local government programs in ten states. They also evaluate the effectiveness in reaching the vision and objective set forth in these programs. The authors examine the main components of each program and offer insights into factors contributing to its success. Major attention is paid to the need for social capital, benchmarking, and continuing support following the initial efforts. The discussion in the book includes recommendations for starting a community strategic visioning exercise.

Collective Impact is intended to help community leaders effectively engage participants in strategic planning initiatives and achieve desired results. It is a logical extension of, and builds on, earlier efforts that experienced difficulties helping groups implement actions identified in the planning processes. This book examines successful practices that apply Collective Impact principles to a variety of community development issues including reducing poverty, and similar topics. Contributing authors also examine techniques used in working with local groups to facilitate effective changes in their communities. The discussions focus on settings in which Collective Impact efforts are likely to succeed using a variety of case studies that vary by intent, purpose, and location. Discussions of involvement by community and campus partnerships, regional planning organizations, and other groups can affect the ways in which Collective Impact principles are applied and how well they work. The discussions conclude with transformational changes within Collective Impact, moving from the individual to the system and future directions for Collective Impact approaches. Practitioners and scholars alike will find the discussions of various approaches and outcomes using Collective Impact useful in designing future efforts to bring about community change. This book was originally published as a special issue of the journal Community Development.

Collective Impact is intended to help community leaders effectively engage participants in strategic planning initiatives and achieve desired results. It is a logical extension of, and builds on, earlier efforts that experienced difficulties helping groups implement actions identified in the planning processes. This book examines successful practices that apply Collective Impact principles to a variety of community development issues including reducing poverty, and similar topics. Contributing authors also examine techniques used in working with local groups to facilitate effective changes in their communities. The discussions focus on settings in which Collective Impact efforts are likely to succeed using a variety of case studies that vary by intent, purpose, and location. Discussions of involvement by community and campus partnerships, regional planning organizations, and other groups can affect the ways in which Collective Impact principles are applied and how well they work. The discussions conclude with transformational changes within Collective Impact, moving from the individual to the system and future directions for Collective Impact approaches. Practitioners and scholars alike will find the discussions of various approaches and outcomes using Collective Impact useful in designing future efforts to bring about community change. This book was originally published as a special issue of the journal Community Development.

The cooperative business form has gained widespread respect in value-added agriculture as a way for producers to retain ownership of the produce as it moves through the supply chain. However, the cooperative model is also being extended to public services in sparsely populated rural areas that otherwise would be without these services. Cooperative business forms are becoming a major tool in local economic development and they are being used in innovative ways to serve rural constituents. This authoritative source identifies and explains many of the issues involved in creating and managing these business efforts. Leading scholars trace the history of cooperatives, describe various approaches involved, and examine the effects that cooperatives can have on rural communities. Chapters include research on cooperatives that cannot be found elsewhere. For example, the chapter devoted to new cooperative law is written by the author of the original law. Included also are chapters on social capital and consumer cooperatives that are groundbreaking. Written for the student, researcher, and policy maker, this volume is unique in providing in-depth research findings on the broad spectrum of issues facing the creation and management of cooperatives.

Straub and Walzer have assembled a well-balanced collection of articles by experts in the field of health care, beginning with two which explore the changing populations and economies of rural areas. Successive chapters explain issues such as recent developments in home patient care, cost-saving innovations, and the pros and cons of rural HMOs. Of special note are those essays which project the future of health care and provide alternative approaches to health care services such as the viability of the rural hospital in the future; progressive non-hospital options; and ways to maximize resources in the years to come. Since this detailed work investigates the major facets of the struggling rural health care system, it will prove valuable not only to health care officials, but also to health care and social science faculty, and to state and local officials whose understanding of health care issues directly affects their policy making.

Communities have practiced strategic planning for decades using a variety of tools and programs based on the initial Take Charge programs of the early 1990s. These efforts generated a large amount of research regarding their effectiveness, as well as ways to measure long-term outcomes and other related issues, in efforts to better understand the process of community change. This book provides contributions written by researchers and practitioners describing both visioning and other strategic planning efforts. The Great Recession challenged the future of many small and medium sized cities, especially in non-metropolitan areas, renewing the interests of community leaders and elected officials in finding innovative ways to revitalize their local employment base and economic opportunities. Having access to a collection of best practices and successful approaches can greatly assist these practitioners in selecting strategies and techniques for use in their community efforts. The material in this book is especially useful because it includes both methodologies as well as case studies of how and why various approaches used in alternative cultural settings have succeeded. This book was originally published as a special issue of Community Development.

Increasingly, community leaders around the world face major natural and economic disasters that require them to find ways to rebuild both physical infrastructure and the local economy. Doing this effectively requires an understanding of how various parts of the community are interconnected, as well as information as to which revitalization approaches have succeeded in the past. Community investment in recovery is essential and, in some cases, may require local leaders to rethink how it can be financed and arranged. This book presents a conceptual framework based on the community capitals, and describes approaches that have succeeded in situations where local leaders have coordinated efforts to rebuild and revitalize local conditions. Contributions provide examples of successful approaches around the world, thus analysing potential strategies for addressing disasters of many different types in various cultural settings. In this way, the book provides insights into a variety of approaches based on applications of accepted community development theory and concepts. This book was originally published as a special issue of Community Development.

Finding innovative and useful measurement practices for community development projects is gaining in importance as policymakers increase the demands for accountability. This book examines some of the latest efforts to document the effectiveness of local development efforts. The types of documentation differ by types of project, jurisdiction, and country but they have a common focus of recognizing the importance of the Community Capitals framework. Public agencies in the past have often measured development successes by the number of jobs created and/or amount of private investment forthcoming. However, the impacts of community development reach much deeper than those indicators. Strengthening local decision-making capacity is a common component of development efforts as is engaging populations that, in the past, have not been active in decision-making. These and other considerations are explored in more detail by authors in this volume. Local policymakers and practitioners will be continually pressured to provide more documentation of outcomes and readers will gain considerable insights into alternative approaches that can be included in projects but can also see the common elements needed to create a solid measurement system. International insights are a special strength of the discussions in this book. This book was published as a special issue of Community Development.