Introduction

Welcome aboard the journey to community prosperity! The places we live affect our lives in many ways. Local employers provide jobs and incomes. Local governments build and maintain infrastructure and provide critical services such as fire and police protection. Communities educate our children and offer shopping, dining, entertainment, and recreational opportunities. Our families, friends, colleagues, and neighbors share the community with us.

Communities help define us. If someone sitting next to you on an airplane trip is from Manhattan, your preconceived notion of that person might well be urban sophisticate—business executive or arts and theater patron. If the person is from a small town in Montana, outdoor recreation or ranching ...

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