Community Development Publications

A collection of publications on community development topics, authored or co-authored by Northeast Center staff and/or partners.

NERCRD COVID-19 Issues Briefs

The NERCRD is releasing a series of issues briefs in response to the COVID-19 crisis, designed to provide information quickly or stimulate discussion. They have not undergone regular peer review. Any opinions are solely those of the authors.
Explaining the spatial variation in American life expectancy

By Elizabeth A. Dobis, Heather M. Stephens, Mark Skidmore, and Stephan J. Goetz. Published in Social Science and Medicine, Volume 246, February 2020.

Strengthening Economic Resilience in the Appalachian Region

"Strengthening Economic Resilience in Appalachia" is a study identifying factors common across communities experiencing persistent economic growth in the aftermath of the 2008 Recession and other economic disruptions. The research was conducted by Downstream Strategies, Dialogue + Design and Associates, the Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development, and West Virginia University, on behalf of the Appalachian Regional Commission. The research includes a statistical analysis of key factors common to economic resilience. A companion Guidebook for Practitioners offers additional insight that can inform economic development strategies across Appalachia. Published in 2019.

Health Insurance and National Farm Policy

By Shoshanah Inwood, Alana Knudson, Florence A. Becot, Bonnie Braun, Stephan J. Goetz, Jane M. Kolodinsky, Scott Loveridge, Katlyn Morris, Jason Parker, Bob Parsons, Rachel Welborn , and Don E. Albrecht. Published in Choices Magazine, January-March 2018.

The interactive effects of human capital and quality of life on economic growth

By Qin Fan, Stephan J. Goetz, and Jiaochen Liang. Published in Applied Economics, Volume 48, 2016 - Issue 53. (Access may be limited.) Published online May 19, 2017.
Network Analysis of Farmer Groups: A Training Manual for Extension Educators

PDF document, 2.9 MB

Goetz, S.J., Y. Han, E. Hildabridle, L. Li, F. Tegegne, S. Tubene, and A. Wetherill. NERCRD Rural Development Paper No. 57. April 3, 2017. This document presents the content of a curriculum prepared for extension educators and others who are interested in conducting a network analysis of farmer groups.

Word Networks in U.S. Rural Policy Discourse

by Adam Reimer, Yicheol Han, Stephan J. Goetz, Scott Loveridge, and Donald Albrecht. Published online in Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, 21 January 2016. (Access may be limited.)
Location Determinants of High-Growth Firms

PDF document, 938.0 KB

By Minghao Li and Stephan Goetz, December 2015.

Learning, Doing and Catalyzing: The National Indicators Team 2014 Highlights

A poster authored by Susan Jakes (North Carolina State University), Mary Leuci (University of Missouri), Walt Whitmer (Penn State), and Paul Lachapelle (Montana State University).

What Is Your Library Worth? Extension Uses Public Value Workshops in Communities

By Jane E. Haskell (University of Maine Cooperative Extension) and George W. Morse (University of Minnesota). Published in the April 2015 edition of Journal of Extension.

County-Level Determinants of Mental Health, 2002–2008

By Stephan Goetz (Penn State), Meri Davlasheridze (Texas A&M University at Galveston), and Yicheol Han (Penn State). Published online on October 22, 2014 in Social Indicators Research.

Socio-Economic and Demographic Change in Pennsylvania: Implications for Extension

A presentation delivered at the 2014 Penn State Extension Conference by Stephan Goetz
Estimating Employment-Related Migration from Overlapping Migration and Commuting Networks (Growth and Change)

By Yicheol Han (Penn State), Stephan Goetz (Penn State), Taegon Kim (Seoul National University of Korea) and JeongJae Lee (Seoul National University of Korea). Published in the September 2013 issue of Growth and Change.

Regional Change and Quality of Life: An Impact Statement on the Research and Extension Efforts in the Northeast

PDF document, 598.8 KB

The Rural Change and Quality of Life project's research has informed policies that enhance the amenities and opportunities offered in rural communities, helping these areas adapt and thrive. June 2013.
What Works! 2011 Entrepreneurship and Community Development in the Northeast

PDF document, 3.0 MB

RDP52 - Proceedings of the What Works! 2011 Conference: Entrepreneurship and Community Development in the Northeast. Conference Proceedings edited by Kathleen Liang and Stephan J. Goetz, April 2012. 3MB pdf.
Natural Amenities and Rural Development: The Role of Land-Based Policies

PDF document, 311.9 KB

RDP45 - Natural Amenities and Rural Development: The Role of Land-Based Policies. David A. Fleming, David A. McGranahan and Stephan J. Goetz. June 2009.
Population Change in the Northeast, 2000-2005

PDF document, 611.3 KB

RDP39 - Population Change in the Northeast, 2000-2005. Tse-Chuan Yang and Anastasia R. Snyder, November 2007
Social and Political Forces as Determinants of Poverty

PDF document, 692.5 KB

Rupasingha, Anil and Stephan J. Goetz; Journal of Socio-Economics, 36, 4 (Aug. 2007): 650-671
Article: The Production of Social Capital in US Counties

PDF document, 384.8 KB

by A. Rupasingha, S. Goetz, D. Freshwater. Journal of Socio-Economics, 2006. 35:83-101
The production of social capital in US counties
Article: Wal-Mart and Social Capital

PDF document, 103.6 KB

by S. Goetz and A. Rupasingha. American Journal of Agricultural Economics 2006. 88, 5: 1304-1310
The Production of Social Capital in US Counties

PDF document, 384.8 KB

Rupasingha, Anil, Stephan J. Goetz and David Freshwater; Journal of Socio-Economics, 35 (2006): 83-101
Economic and Community Development Issues and Priorities in the Northeastern US: Results of a Survey of Extension Educators

PDF document, 282.5 KB

RDP30 - Walter Whitmer et al., December 2005
Strategic Directions in Community and Economic Development Extension and Research in the Northeast: Building a Stronger Network in a Critical Time

PDF document, 90.4 KB

RDP32 - December 2005.

Rural Policy and Planning

PDF document, 274.5 KB

RDP31 - Mark Lapping, November 2005.
Rural Poverty in the Northeast: Global Forces and Individual Coping Strategies

PDF document, 1.4 MB

RDP28 - Diane McLaughlin, October 2005.
Proceedings of The 2003 Northeast Regional Information Technology Workshop on Bridging the Digital Divide

PDF document, 2.8 MB

RDP20 - Workshop Proceedings edited by Stephan J. Goetz and William Shuffstall, September 2003.
Critical Development Issues in Rural Economies

PDF document, 650.6 KB

RDP16 - Stephan J. Goetz, February 2003. Paper presented at the Agricultural Outlook Forum 2003, February 20, Arlington, Virginia.
A Community-Based Forestry Cooperative for Certified Wood

PDF document, 320.9 KB

RDP12 - Final Grant Report, Marc E. McDill et al., October 2002.
Community vitality: Some conceptual considerations

PDF document, 254.4 KB

RDP6 - William J. Grigsby, October 2001.