ABSTRACT

Traditional approaches to community development have bypassed many poor communities. This paper reports on findings from a statewide survey of 171 organizations in Missouri about innovative approaches to community economic development (CED). These “hu-man-sized” CED approaches include homeownership, microenterprise, saving, and neighborhood development. Although enthusiastic, respondents identify challenges to service delivery, including funding, reaching low-income families, staff recruitment and training, economic educa 98tion, building partnerships, serving rural areas, and ensuring that the poor have a voice in their own development. Accordingly, recommendations for enhancing CED include increases in support to assist communities and households generate greater wealth, community participation, partnerships among public and private for-profit and nonprofit entities, access to information and education on CED, public awareness, and at tention to rural issues[Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address:<docdelivery@haworthpress.com> Website: <https://www.HaworthPress.com" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">https://www.HaworthPress.com>.? 2003 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]