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Interest in amenity focused development strategies has exploded in recent decades as policy makers and community leaders realize that most natural resource based and manufacturing jobs are no longer major engines of job and economic growth. Instead, they realize that a high quality natural and built environment boosts the quality of life of regions and attracts footloose industries, thus becoming a major factor for regional economic growth. This book provides an analysis of the role of natural resource and recreational amenities in regional economic growth, which is measured by population, employment and income growth. The Northeastern United States of America is used as the study area. A unique aspect of this book is that it identifies the spatial distribution of amenities and other local factors in regional economic growth that enable state policy makers and local leaders to be able to design and implement effective development programs, alleviate poverty, and influence economic development. Its insights make it a useful source of information and standard reference for economists, development scholars, policy analysts, and consultants.

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