Market-oriented strategy for forest-based rural economic development
1994
Syme, J.H. | Duke, C.R.
Conventional economic development strategies have been unsuccessful in rural areas due to an inappropriate set of assumptions. Furthermore, specific strategies for forest-based economic development have not been formulated. This study developed a market-oriented strategic approach for forest-based economic development in rural sectors of the South. To illustrate the approach, a heavily-forested rural two-county subregion in South Carolina was targeted for analysis. The subregion has a large timber resource, but has only a small volume of forest products manufacturing within or near the subregion. The subregion's objectives, resources, and capabilities were analyzed in depth. Potential markets for wood products that could be manufactured in the subregion were identified and analyzed. Target markets and their highest-potential wood products were selected, based on their best fit with the subregion's capabilities. A unique strategy was formulated for carrying out the forest-based economic development program in the subregion, based on attracting a planned set of wood products processing businesses to create a manufacturing network. This approach should be applicable to other locations in the South. The proposed manufacturing network, including both new and existing forest-related businesses, focused on specific product businesses and provided an opportunity for member firms to gain and sustain a competitive advantage against competitors outside the network.
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