Economic Development in Rural Illinois Communities: A Critical Assessment

Abstract

A faltering national economy and declining leadership by the federal government in the 1980s fostered a flurry of economic development activity at the local level—in both urban and rural areas. This activity stimulated extensive research on the process of economic development in urban areas. Much less has been written, however, about the same in rural areas. In this paper we examine the practice of economic development in rural areas. Drawing on case studies of economic development activities in six rural Illinois communities, we identify who participates in economic development decision making, how economic development is pursued, and whose interests are served by economic development programs in rural areas. Based on the findings of these case studies, we offer a critical review of the practice of economic development in rural areas. We conclude by describing differences between urban and rural communities that cause differences in the practice of economic development.