Rural economic development depends on implementation of strategies that capture the competitive edge of the total rural environment. It will not succeed by weak duplication of traditional urban development strategies. The historic dependence on the natural resource base that is the common denominator for rural areas must be regarded not as a liability but rather as an opportunity. Research on successful rural economic development initiatives has revealed some primary keys to success. These include: (1) creating community spirit and cooperation through training for local leaders and volunteers and consensus building among agricultural and nonagricultural political factions; (2) capitalizing on existing resources and recognizing the diversity of possible community resources; (3) aggressively pursuing cash transfer strategies through venture capital networks and grant opportunities; (4) helping entrepreneurs to get started and existing businesses to stay and expand; (5) adding value to existing natural resource-based products by building broad natural resource and business coalitions throughout a rural region; and (6) emphasizing economic and demographic research, strategic and land-use planning, and a long-term focus. (SV)