search our site     home > key topics > rural america   industry While agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining remain important sectors in some rural economies, service and retail industries have accounted for most of the job growth in rural America over the past few decades. ERS research focuses on the full range of industries important to the rural economy. related briefing rooms - offer an indepth discussion synthesizing ERS research Federal Funds Infrastructure and Rural Development Policy Measuring Rurality Rural Industry Rural Labor and Education feature Issues in Rural Manufacturing Manufacturing forms the economic base of many rural communities. It accounts for 17 percent of jobs and 24 percent of total earnings in rural America. To better understand the barriers and opportunities faced by manufacturing firms across the country, ERS undertook a national survey of manufacturing establishments in 1996. The results of this survey were analyzed to determine the rate of technology adoption, the quality of labor needed, local problems faced, and business assistance used by rural and urban firms. web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov updated: November 21, 2000  Also at ERS... latest publications (all) • Rural America At A Glance, 2004 • Rural America at a Glance (2003) • Rural America: Opportunities and Challenges latest data products (all) • Farm and Farm-related Employment • County Typology Codes • Urban Influence Codes resources • Contact an ERS Expert • Calendar of Releases services • Receive E-mail Updates • E-mail This Page • Translate This Page

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