"This publication is intended to give local officials a general overview and understanding of the programs available from State and Federal agencies that have economic impact upon their communities. While this guide provides general information relating to economic development programs, it does not answer all questions or technical aspects of the programs."--Foreword.

This report discusses the findings from a mail survey of local government economic development activities that was sent to all 540 municipalities and 100 counties in North Carolina. An important part of the analysis examines whether cities and counties differ significantly in their economic development efforts and whether smaller jurisdictions employ different types of development strategies and tools than larger ones. The survey findings also highlight the barriers that local governments face in promoting economic development and identify important technical assistance needs and gaps in local capacity.

Since the late 1970s, Congressional legislation has prompted officials to develop inducements to entice new businesses to their communities. These economic development incentives often include land subsidies, low interest financing, flexible zoning laws and infrastructure improvements. The 37 articles in this work, written by some of the leading experts in the field, examine all aspects of economic development, including a general introduction and information on how to staff various economic development organizations. The application of public-private partnerships is covered in depth, primarily using case studies of success stories.