Innovators in Rural Community Economic Development

The Informal Economy in Rural Community Economic Development

Tags: Community Economic Development, Informal Economy, Policy Analysis, Research

Client Name: University of Kentucky Rural Studies Program

Client Type: Education/Research Institution

Year: 1998, 1999

Location: Kentucky

Awarded a grant by TVA Rural Studies to conduct research. Yellow Wood Associates produced a paper on the role of the informal economy in rural communities. The paper reframes rural development in terms of the whole economy, and begins to articulate development strategies which address the entire economic picture. It suggests that by recognizing, understanding, and incorporating the informal economy into development practices, the likelihood of real improvements in the quality of life of low-income people will increase.