Independent (single-establishment) businesses with fewer than 100 employees accounted for 31% of the net increase in private nonfarm jobs in nonmetropolitan areas between 1976 and 1980, when the nation's employment was expanding rapidly. Those independent businesses which were in operation less than 5 years in 1980 created jobs at a net rate of…

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), established by Congress in 1965, is a unique partnership of federal, state, and local government action attempting to provide every person living in the region with the health and skills needed to compete in everyday life and to attract new industry to the region, thus providing more jobs and a more…