Research Accomplishment Reports 2010

Rural Change: Markets, Governance and Quality of Life

D. Freshwater, D. Debertin, A. Davis
Department of Agricultural Economics

 

Non-Technical Summary

Research will examine the role of labor market policy as it affects the supply and demand of workers in rural areas. A specific example of the work will be an analysis of local labor markets in rural Newfoundland and their adaptation to economic change. In many rural areas there is a considerable mismatch between the number of jobs and the number of workers. This can reflect an excess supply of workers or it may indicate a skill mismatch that can be resolved through training programs and targeted recruitment of firms.

2010 Project Description

Was a partner in the creation of the Stronger Economies Together curriculum for regions across the United States. This curriculum was based on the "Targeting Regional Economic Development" book edited by Goetz, Harris and Deller of which Alison Davis contributed two chapters. The crux of this curriculum focuses on cluster analysis and building on a region's competitive advantage.

Continued work with Nevada, Montana and Hawaii to coordinate the Community Business Matching (CBM) model. Created CEDIK, the Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky which is an integrated research, extension and instruction program within the College of Agriculture. Alison Davis is the director of this project.

Prepared quarterly CEDIK Newsletters that highlights trends in data in rural areas as well as available programs for communities.

Concluded the "Growing Local Economies" initiative. Reports were generated for three communities in Eastern Kentucky that identified business opportunities that might fit well with their current assets. The mission was to help promote local businesses by first having them understand their current local economy.

Davis was also awarded a research project that investigates the state of health access, quality and quantity, in Kentucky. This project will look at clusters of health care, health care professionals, and the economic impact of health care on communities.

2010 Impact

The participants in Growing Local Economies reported a greater understanding of their local economy, particularly understanding the concept of leakages and how best to plug leaks. Extension is more aware of Community and Economic Development both at the County level and the State level. More agents have requested information and programs that would be useful in their county.

2010 Publications

Johnson, R., W. Hu, A. Pagoulatos and D. Debertin (2011), Response to General Health Information in the Food Industry: A Panel Case Study in the Domestic Cracker Market. Journal of Food Product Marketing. Forthcoming

Debertin, David L. and Stephan J. Goetz, Social Capital Formation in Rural, Urban and Suburban Communities. in Environmental Politics: From Sociability to Sustenance, ed Prasenjit Maiti, pp.166-195. Discovery Publishing House PVT.LTD New Delhi (India) 2010

Ona, Lucia and Alison Davis, Economic Impact of the Critical Access Hospital Program on Kentucky's Communities, Journal of Rural Health. Forthcoming (available online early edition 2010).