Sources of Regional Growth in Non-Metro Appalachia. Volume 4. Economic Development Assessment Tools and Study Conclusions for Identifying Sources of Growth

摘要

The Sources of Growth project is part of a series of research efforts funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission to improve our understanding of factors affecting economic growth in rural and distressed areas. As stated in the Volume 1 Introduction, the starting premise of this project is that there can multiple paths that an area can pursue in successfully enhancing job and income creation. They may build on natural resources, cultural resources, human resources, local amenities, institutional facilities or location advantages. The resulting direction of economic growth may involve manufacturing or supply chain development, resource extraction or tourism development, educational development or trade center development. This research is intended to provide a basis of information that can ultimately be useful for enhancing the effectiveness of policies and tools aimed at improving the region's economic development. Volume 4 is a description of new and updated tools available to ARC and its Local Development Districts to assess economic development opportunities and potential directions for economic growth.