Cornelia Butler Flora

Local Self-Development Strategies: National Survey Results.

This paper evaluates local self-development strategies among nonmetropolitan communities. It analyzes the characteristics of these projects, their benefits and costs, and the obstacles facing self-development communities. Based on a survey of more than one hundred communities, it was found that most self-development projects in the 1980s were initiated because of the depressed rural economy. Self-development efforts do not appear to replace traditional rural economic development activities; instead, they appear to complement them. Self-development activities produce a wide variety of jobs that are taken primarily by local residents. Informants reported that the cost and availability of credit are major obstacles for self-development projects. In terms of benefits, local business/industrial development projects tend to produce the most jobs and to produce them at the least cost.