Adopting a Cooperative Approach to Local Economic Development

Abstract

According to a report in the New York Times, rural America is experiencing economic and demographic decline (Egan 2002). The purpose of this essay is to examine the causes of this decline, and then to suggest one possible way that rural economic developers, farmers, government officials, researchers, and other interested parties can work together to reinvigorate rural communities. A caveat is required. The research reported here was conducted primarily in the American Midwest. The audience for this journal is located primarily in the American Southeast. The trick will be to reinterpret the findings of this research focusing on the Midwest in order to find relevance for rural communities in North Carolina and the Southeastern region of the United States.