ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to present a perspective on the economic environment in which rural development must take place, the nature of the rural economic conditions, and what communities can do to create their own "new future." It deals with ways communities can achieve their potential in rural economic development and the kind of policy orientation necessary to support strong community economic development. Political control was maintained at the top, and the community was a limited participant. Economic development was detached, almost by default, from long-term community goals and the process of building strong communities. Changed economic conditions necessitate major modifications in die logic and process of economic development. Traditionally, economic policy in the US has focused on maintaining and protecting industrial production. The responsibility for development and implementation of economic development policy and action is shifting from the federal level to the community level. More intelligent community economic policy also would prove helpful in framing state and national policy.
