LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS IN SMALL-AND MIDDLE-SIZED COMMUNITIES: THE CASE OF WISCONSIN.

During the past several decades, U.S. municipalities-including those in small- and middle-sized communities-have become increasingly active in promoting economic development, often with help from local economic development organizations (LEDOs). LEDOs are distinct from municipalities in that they are often more distant from public influence and scrutiny, receive some of their funding from private sources, and have close ties to the local business community. This paper illustrates that LEDOs are prevalent in small- and middle-sized Wisconsin communities, and they often possess substantial financial, technical and organizational resources. Four factors are positively associated with a community operating a LEDO-population size, fiscal health, pressure to create jobs, and the presence of a stand-alone municipal economic development department. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]