“CRISIS IN RURAL ALABAMA” Report Proposes Strategies for Rural Communities

A new report by Auburn University’s Economic Development Institute, “Beyond the Interstate: The Crisis in Rural Alabama,” describes the crisis and proposes some strategies for rural communities off the main roads.

Among the highlights is a call for more coordination at both the state and local levels. At the state level, the report calls for coordination between the many players involved in community and economic development – from community colleges to utility companies.

At the local level, the report points to the need for regional strategies that can help small, rural communities build a “critical mass” of leadership, financial capacity, and infrastructure.

The paper can be found at http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/edi