COMMUNITY-BUSINESS MATCHING: A NEW MODEL FOR RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Identifying target industry sectors for community economic development is a complex problem. The Community-Business Matching (CBM) Model is a tool that assists in identifying desirable industry sectors for sustainable economic development. The framework of the model is based on two measures, "Desirability" and "Compatibility", between a community and industry sectors. A case study of two Vermont communities will be presented.Community Assets and Goals, Business Benefits and Needs, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods,