Planning Local Economic Development: Theory and Practice

Planning Local Economic Development: Theory and Practice is a comprehensive book that explains how communities can design, implement, and evaluate local economic development strategies using both established theory and real-world practice. Its purpose is to help readers understand the tools, institutions, and policy choices that shape local growth, including planning processes, stakeholder coordination, and the tradeoffs involved in pursuing jobs, equity, and fiscal sustainability. The primary audience includes economic development professionals, city and regional planners, public administrators, policy students, and local officials who need a structured framework for decision-making. By connecting concepts to practical approaches, the book strengthens the reader’s ability to assess local conditions, select appropriate interventions, and communicate strategies to partners and the public, making it a valuable reference for coursework and day-to-day economic development work.