Why Do Some Communities Succeed While Others Struggle? Understanding Rural Economic Development in Georgia

This dissertation examines factors that help explain the variation in economic well-being among rural Georgia counties. A mixed methods approach is utilized, with a regression model used to predict what each county’s economic status should be based on quantifiable intrinsic factors, followed by a series of qualitative elite interviews with economic development stakeholders in rural counties that consistently performed far better or worse than the model predicted. Findings suggest that positive leadership, relationships, infrastructure, planning, and entrepreneurship are important factors for relative success. Struggling communities also demonstrate an over-reliance on grant funding and a lack of economic diversification.