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Competitiveness & Econom... → Research & Applications →
Economic Development in Rural Areas
×Research & Applications
  • National Competitiveness
  • Strategies for Cross-National Regions
  • Competitiveness of States & Regions
  • Economic Development in Inner Cities
  • Economic Development in Rural Areas
  • Cluster Studies
  • International Cluster Competitiveness Profiles

Economic Development in Rural Areas

The economic performance of rural regions in the U.S. and around the world is lagging, despite efforts by governments and local leaders to address the problem. It’s time to rethink our approaches to rural economic development, drawing on broader learning about the sources of competitiveness in the global economy.
More about Michael Porter’s competitiveness frameworks

Key Steps for Boosting Rural Economies

  1. Rural economic development should focus on the unique strengths of each area, rather than concentrating on ameliorating generic weaknesses
  2. The appropriate economic unit for strategy purposes must include not only rural areas but also adjacent urban centers
  3. Rural economic development should address and harness the efficient spatial distribution of economic activity rather than attempt to replicate urban economies
  4. A single national rural policy is unlikely to be meaningful and successful
  5. Each community should bear responsibility for its economic success, not the federal government
  6. Federal and state governments need to provide rural regions with the necessary tools and financing mechanisms to develop and execute an effective strategy

Key Documents

Competitiveness in U.S. Rural Regions: Learning and Research Agenda

by Michael E. Porter with Christian H.M. Ketels, Kaia Miller, and Richard T. Bryden

Rural Clusters of Innovation: Berkshires Strategy Project Driving a Long-Term Economic Strategy

by Monitor Group, Michael E. Porter, Senior Advisor

 
 

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