Lacking the resources of larger organizations, small businesses are often unable to find skilled workers to fill immediate employment needs and to identify strategies to meet their future workforce needs. In some communities, business and trade organizations, community colleges, and other public and private organizations have partnered to create workforce development networks, often called workforce consortia. A study was conducted of four of these consortia in order to determine the following: (1) what prompted communities to establish them; (2) what activities they offer to small business; (3) what consortia partners view as the key principles behind the consortia; and (4) what is known about the outcomes of such collaboratives. Data were collected through consultation with experts in workforce development and officials from consortia, a literature review, and site visits to workforce consortia in Austin, Texas; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The study found that consortia identified these four important principles critical to their operation: (1) they focused on business' workforce needs and were organized around key industry standards in their community; (2) they provided leadership and sustained ongoing, positive working relationships among members; (3) they made activities accessible to both businesses and prospective workers; and (4) they used incentives to make participation in activities attractive to small businesses. Limited information was available on the outcomes of consortia operations. (KC)