Handbook: Assessing Local Economic Development Opportunities with ARC-LEAP, Appalachian Regional Commission Local Economic Assessment Package

The ARC-LEAP model serves to three related purposes, each aimed at helping practitioners identify target industries for economic development. The first is to provide a tool for local practitioners to assess current economic conditions and likely future trends. The second is to provide a diagnostic tool to aid practitioners in targeting industries that can provide the basis for economic development. The third is to provide an analysis tool for assessing the effects of policy (e.g., tax) changes and new investments (e.g., transportation improvements) on the attractiveness of an area for different industries.