Citizens become disenfranchised and critical of local government and organizations that should serve the overall needs of the community. The availability of local leaders is a prerequisite to economic development. Effective leadership can spur economic development by facilitating plans and projects for county, business, and financial institutions and others. In contrast, inadequate local leadership can contribute significantly to a lack of economic development. Leadership is inadequate when leaders do not have the perspective that is necessary to see opportunities for business development.
Extension has experience in developing community leaders.
Education and assistance in planning, conducting and evaluating local leadership programs is available. Curriculum modules for various facets of leadership training, including non profit organizational development and volunteer management are available. There is a need to assist local leaders and citizens in obtaining and analyzing information about their community and its relationship with the larger society. Though much demographic and socioeconomic information is available, many people in small communities have limited experience in retrieving such information and applying it to decision making. In short, local leaders are making decisions based on limited information, sometimes acting ineffectively and reaping unintended consequences.