Innovators in Rural Community Economic Development

West Virginia

Community Development v.44, i.5, “Shared measures to achieve shared outcomes: lessons from Central Appalachia”

This paper introduces a wealth creation approach to development, and describes how the Central Appalachian Network has used an outcome-based measurement process to define and measure progress toward shared goals for seven forms of community wealth.…


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Branding Study for Appalachian Local Food Economies

This report, produced for the Central Appalachian Network (CAN) in partnership with the MIT “Keeping Wealth Local” Clinic, explores examples of place-based food brands and offers recommendations for CAN and other Central Appalachian organizations interested…


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Case Study: Outcome Funding Evaluation for NESARE

This case study profiles Yellow Wood's work with the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NESARE) to assess the impact of an outcome funding framework on principal investigators and beneficiaries of projects funded by NESARE.


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How Rural is Central Appalachia?

Before we can measure rural economic activity in an area, we need a clear picture and understanding of how geographic areas are defined as rural. This paper explores several methods for measuring the rural character of a region and uses each method…


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Case Studies: Prosperous Counties in Appalachia

This paper identifies rural counties in Appalachia which have sustained or attained relatively strong levels of prosperity over the course of the decades from 1980-2000. Statistical analysis of these counties lays the groundwork for future detailed…


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Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises: A Case Study

FAHE is, arguably, the strongest example of network approaches to increasing impact and strengthening financial performance in the domestic community development field. The purpose of this case study is to extract the lessons from the FAHE experience…


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Wealth and Prosperity in Central Appalachia

This paper assesses the prosperity of Central Appalachian counties. The assessment compares the prosperity levels of Central Appalachian counties to each other, to themselves over time, and to the region and the country as a whole, using measures that…


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Is Woody Biomass Right for You?: Biomass Pre-Feasibility Reports

This publication provides overview information about the Wood Energy Utilization Services project and summary lists of the reports created for the project.


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Wood Energy Utilization Support Final Report: Appendices

These appendices contain supplemental material for the final report compiled by Yellow Wood, documenting work undertaken by Yellow Wood Associates and Richmond Energy Associates, on behalf of the USDA Forest Service, to identify potential candidates…


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Wood Energy Utilization Support Final Report: Executive Summary

An executive summary of work undertaken by Yellow Wood Associates and Richmond Energy Associates, on behalf of the USDA Forest Service, to identify potential candidates for biomass energy and provide biomass pre-feasibility studies. Yellow Wood worked…


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Wood Energy Utilization Support Final Report

A final report of work undertaken by Yellow Wood Associates and Richmond Energy Associates, on behalf of the USDA Forest Service, to identify potential candidates for biomass energy and provide biomass pre-feasibility studies. The report summarizes…


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