Innovators in Rural Community Economic Development

Resource Library

Case Studies of Wealth Creation and Rural-Urban Linkages

This report contains four case studies about rural-urban linkages in Oregon, the New Orleans region, Texas, and Nebraska, as well as introductory material and a concluding commentary that looks at each case study in context of the core principles of…


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Plastics from Plants: A Case Study of NatureWorks LLC, Blair, Nebraska

This is a case study of NatureWorks, a bio-based products company in Nebraska that transforms a renewable crop into a value-added plastic resin that can be used to make low carbon footprint and/or biodegradable products.
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Rural-Urban Interdependence in Central Appalachia Discussion Paper

To better understand the potential for wealth development in the Central Appalachia region, this paper reviews regional approaches to assessing and developing wealth; examines the ways and extents to which rural and urban economies are interconnected;…
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Transitioning to a Restoration Economy: A Case Study of Oregon's Forestry Sector

This case study explores a developing restoration forest economy and its positive impacts along the forest products value chain; these impacts can be seen both in terms of wealth retention and creation and of forging linkages between rural and urban…


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Wealth Creation and Regional Innovation

This paper identifies the place- and history-based context for a regional approach to wealth creation; assesses varying prosperity rates across the counties of Central Appalachia; analyzes the trade flows between Economic Areas in Central Appalachia;…


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Wealth Creation and Rural-Urban Linkages in Central Appalachia Briefing Paper

This briefing paper summarizes the research work conducted by RUPRI in analyzing areas of the Central Appalachia region, assessing the prosperity levels of the Central Appalachia region, analyzing trade flows between rural and urban parts of Central Appalachia,…
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Wealth Creation and Rural-Urban Linkages Final Composite Report

This process report summarizes the wealth development research work undertaken by RUPRI on behalf of the Ford Foundation during the 2009-2010 year.
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