This Complete revision of Dr. Shaffer's classic Community Economics provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of economic structure in small communities and urban neighborhoods of America. Authors Shaffer, Deller, and Marcouiller review the economics of smaller communities with continued emphasis on how to build and achieve theoretically sound community economic development policy. The text also demonstrates how local participation and knowledge can be used to identify problems, form solutions, and maintain community support for long-term goals. The main body of economic research and literature has neglected the economics of smaller communities. Community Economics: Linking Theory and Practice fills that information void. This text serves as a comprehensive guide on smaller, open economies and urban neighborhoods for economists, regional planners, rural sociologists, and geographers. Additionally, Community Economics is an issue-oriented handbook of development strategies for development practitioners, planning and zoning officials, and others involved in the ay-to-day activities of community economic development.

Forward-looking communities have attained a competitive edge by strengthening clusters of related and supporting industries, not courting individual firms. How will your community know which clusters to strengthen as it negotiates this fundamental shift in development strategy? This book shows you how to conduct local economic analysis to support such strategic planning decisions. You'll learn how to use basic economic analysis techniques to analyze changes in the local economy and evaluate the signifigance of these changes for economic development policy. They show how to structure an analysis; assess local economic performance; analyze the structure and dynamics of a local economy; evaluate local growth prospects; assess local human resources; evaluate nonlabor resources; and link analysis to strategic planning. Understanding Your Economy also includes a summary of data series and sources that will trim hours from your search for information necessary to conduct your analysis. Understanding Your Economy does not assume an extensive background in statistics or data management. It can serve as a stand-alone manual for anyone who wants to learn more about the functions and dynamics of an area's economy.

Our current food system has decimated rural communities and confined the choices of urban consumers. Even while America continues to ramp up farm production to astounding levels, net farm income is now lower than at the onset of the Great Depression, and one out of every eight Americans faces hunger. But a healthier and more equitable food system is possible. In Building Community Food Webs, Ken Meter shows how grassroots food and farming leaders across the U.S. are tackling these challenges by constructing civic networks. Overturning extractive economic structures, these inspired leaders are engaging low-income residents, farmers, and local organizations in their quest to build stronger communities. Community food webs strive to build health, wealth, capacity, and connection. Their essential element is building greater respect and mutual trust, so community members can more effectively empower themselves and address local challenges. Farmers and researchers may convene to improve farming practices collaboratively. Health clinics help clients grow food for themselves and attain better health. Food banks engage their customers to challenge the root causes of poverty. Municipalities invest large sums to protect farmland from development. Developers forge links among local businesses to strengthen economic trade. Leaders in communities marginalized by our current food system are charting a new path forward. Building Community Food Webs captures the essence of these efforts, underway in diverse places including Montana, Hawai‘i, Vermont, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, and Minnesota. Addressing challenges as well as opportunities, Meter offers pragmatic insights for community food leaders and other grassroots activists alike.