The contribution of home-based business income to rural and urban economies

During the past decade, many rural and urban residents have turned to home- based self-employment as a means of providing for themselves and their fami lies. Home-based work can be considered a form of community development for its potential as an alternative or supplemental income source for resident s and for its economic multiplier effect on a community and region. This ar ticle reports results from a nine-state study on home-based employment-who does it and what they do-and estimates its economic impact on communities. Suggestions for building a supportive environment for home-based and microe nterprises are discussed.