A deteriorating local economy in many rural areas has led local leaders to search for ways to ease the transformation or reverse the trend. This guidebook provides extension educators and economic development specialists with a starting point in designing workshops for local leaders interested in increasing economic activity in their communities. Workshop materials have been used in several pilot workshops and found to be adaptable to different regions and audiences. The workshop covers seven general areas, each of which may be taught as an independent unit or omitted, depending on community needs. These topical areas are: rural economic development overview, building an economic development strategy, economic development alternatives, financing economic development, impact analysis, infrastructure, and public policy. Each section consists of a teaching outline and overheads, and suggests an organized presentation of information essential to the topic. An annotated bibliography includes 61 entries that provide further information on the seven topical areas. The guidebook contains 61 references, descriptions of a model program and program planning procedures, sample agendas, evaluation forms, and fact sheets developed to support economic development workshops in Oklahoma. (SV)