Many communities have economic development efforts, which are generally undertaken in an attempt to create productive employment opportunities and to strengthen the local tax base. Unfortunatley, the economic development efforts of many communities, especially rural communities, are not productive ones. Many rural development efforts fail because they are unrealistic. This publication provides some guidelines for evaluating community potential for different types of economic development, assuming that no formal economic development program is operative. Two forms are provided for gathering information. The first form, "Community Profile," elicits information on the following: location, population, climate, community facilities, education, medical, recreation facilities (public), communications, government, financial institutions, utilities and service, labor analysis, transportation, taxes (tax year 1981), available industrial properties, and major employers. The second form provides 36 questions to be used by individuals in rating their community. (AH)