Rural areas don't have to depend on either agriculture or commuting jobs for their whole economic lifeblood. They don't have to be barnyard bedrooms for industrialized big cities. They have many largely undeveloped resources, especially of manpower and leadership. From the financial, transportation, communication and labor standpoints, many rural communities can now be very attractive to various kinds of business and light industry. As a matter of fact, 72 out of the 136 new industries started in Alabama in 1987 were located in rural areas.

The challenge is one of finding and pooling together the resources of intelligence,, wisdom and will needed to come up with the right response. To avoid stagnation, poverty and depopulation on the one hand, and uncontrolled and undesirable economic exploitation on the other. To plan for and build rural communities that preserve the good life as we have known it in Alabama and at the same time open the door of economic opportunity for this and for succeeding generations. Recognizing the need, the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service offers a program designed to help rural leaders meet the challenge. The program is called STEP - Start Tapping Economic Potential.

STEP - A PROGRAM FOR PROGRESS STEP is both an outline of action for rural communities and a package of assistance information for each stage of the rural economic development process. If you are interested in rural economic development, here are the 7 STEPs that can help you achieve progress in your community:

STEP 1. Organize community leaders. Rural development doesn't happen unless someone makes it happen. A good way to organize is to form a business and economic development subcommittee of the local Extension resource development committee. Getting your key political, business and community leaders involved in this way gives your program clout, and ensures that you'll have realistic goals and a workable strategy for achieving them.

STEP 2. Evaluate local preferences, assets and liabilities. You must know where you are--what your natural, physical, and human circumstances are--and where you want to go. This inventory will provide the basis for further action, and should be done thoroughly and carefully.

STEP 3. Seek technical assistance. Economic development is a sophisticated, competitive business. Get expert help--most of it free--from such groups as the Alabama Development Office, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the Extension Service, railroads, utility companies, and financial institutions.

STEP 4. Develop an educational program for leaders and for citizens. Not everyone understands the nature of economic development, or its advantages. The better your educational program, the better your chances of success. Your county Extension office can help you plan industrial development workshops, meetings, tours, and other educational efforts.

STEP 5. Formulate definite plans, policies, and procedures. No one wants unplanned, unregulated growth in a community. To ensure optimum growth and development, institute policies and controls for the type of industries that will best fit your community, and implement procedures that will bring orderly and beneficial growth.

STEP 6. Analyze your utility base and proceed to develop this base to fit the desired growth pattern for your community. Remember that developed industrial sites with all utilities in place are a must to effectively compete for new industry.

STEP 7. Search for and sign up business and industrial firms that are suited to your community. Remember that every business and community leader is a potential salesman for your community, and that existing industrial firms offer the best source for new jobs.

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