A 4-lesson course on economic effects of population changes in rural small communities, developed for use by extension personnel in Idaho and throughout sparsely-populated areas of the Great Plains and western states, is designed to help community leaders improve their understanding of special economic problems of small communities. Use of the course can vary from complete self-study to complete classroom presentation. An overview of small-town problems and potentials covers population changes, small-town attitudes (including a 35-item attitude survey), effects of community growth on business and public services, and implications for action. The first lesson discusses economic forces affecting small towns, including cost of travel, economies of size, and a consumer choice example. The second lesson is a guide for determining and evaluating community needs, with instructions on use of the attitude survey. The third lesson provides a guide for evaluating circumstances and opportunities in the community's business sector. The final lesson discusses costs of the community's public services. Appendices include sample letters to accompany the attitude survey and a consumer questionnaire from the Small Towns Assistance Project of the University of Idaho Cooperative Extension Service (including the attitude survey and other questions). (MH)