Rural America has long been perceived as "left behind" by policies that leave it struggling while benefiting bustling urban cities and suburbs. That narrative holds some truth: rural America has a declining population, along with lower educational attainment and lower workforce participation than urban America. But while rural America…

This chartbook is the 14th version to be produced for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB). The Chartbook describes the diversity of the Appalachian Region on a host of demographic and economic measures and provides an important annual view of the area and its people. The data contained in the…

This report presents state- and county-level data for the Appalachian Region. The 12 chapters focus on: (1) Population Basics; (2) Age; (3) Race and Hispanic Origin; (4) Housing Occupancy, Tenure, and Type; (5) Education, Device Ownership, and Internet Access; (6) Labor Force, Employment, and Unemployment; (7) Transportation and Commuting…

This report presents state- and county-level data for the Appalachian Region. The 12 chapters focus on: (1) Population Basics; (2) Age; (3) Race and Hispanic Origin; (4) Housing Occupancy, Tenure, and Type; (5) Education, Device Ownership, and Internet Access; (6) Labor Force, Employment, and Unemployment; (7) Transportation and Commuting…

The "future of work" is an evolving concept with wide-reaching implications for the economy, workforce, education, and society--including workers, business owners, students, and the people who serve them. The impact from these changes brings a sense of urgency to stay a few steps ahead and address systems' gaps and faulty machinery that…

This article describes how out-of-work miners are engaged in the Empowering Education Initiative, a unique alliance between Country Music Television (CMT) and community colleges in Appalachia. The initiative, which includes a website and a series of country music concerts, is changing the conversation in the Appalachian region, giving hope to…

Demonstrates the dramatic difference in labor force descriptions resulting from use of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' measure labelled U-7 rather than U-5, the official measure. U-7 includes both discouraged workers and involuntary part-time workers. U-7 is the more appropriate index for accurately picturing many parts of rural America. (DHP)

Among 1,861 households in rural Iowa, the true unemployment rate was 17.3 percent, compared with the officially reported figure of 6.5 percent. Such discrepancies, related to changes in job-seeking behavior among the chronic unemployed, produce underfunding of federal training and job assistance programs in rural areas. Contains 16 references. (SV)

The issues of manpower planning and economic development which relate to the Rural Development Act of 1972 were analyzed at this conference. The conference contributors were chosen because of their expertise in some aspect of manpower planning, economic development, or the Rural Development Act of 1972. The conference began with an overview of…

Prepared to provide background for groups concerned with rural development in South Dakota, this paper addresses the nature, extent, and causes of South Dakota's unemployment and underemployment problems. Findings indicate that while South Dakota's unemployment rate (5.4% in 1983) has traditionally been lower and less volatile than the national…

Examines reversal of two longstanding unemployment patterns in 1980-82 recession: nonmetropolitan unemployment rate exceeded metropolitan rate and men's unemployment rate exceeded women's. Attributes reversals to recent changes in labor force: shift to service economy, expansion of women's role in workplace, and changes in women's working…

THE APPEAL OF LOW LABOR COSTS IS SEEN AS THE MAIN INFLUENCE OF INDUSTRY'S DECENTRALIZED EXPANSION. THIS EXPANSION HAS NOT BEEN ENOUGH TO OFFSET AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT DECLINES. THUS, A NET MIGRATION TO URBAN AREAS, DRAINING THE MORE REMOTE RURAL AREAS, IS STILL NECESSARY. IMPLICATIONS FOR RURAL AREAS INCLUDE BETTER PUBLIC EDUCATION AND A…

The growth, prosperity, and viability of the new African nations will depend ultimately on their ability to develop systematically and to utilize effectively their human resources. The major human resource problems are 1) rising unemployment in urban areas, 2) under-employment of the rural masses, 3) shortages of strategic skills, 4) poorly geared…

The author discusses rural employment and training programs and rural manpower policy under various federal laws. He indicates that separate manpower policies for rural areas may be justified, as rural areas may require greater remedial efforts. (MF)

Describes rural northwestern Minnesota's employment problem and the local employment and manpower programs, focusing on Rural Minnesota CEP (Concentrated Employment Program), the balance-of-state program, and the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) program. It is noted that the nature of the land and people and the distances to be…