IS NETWORKING ALWAYS THE ANSWER - NETWORKING AMONG COMMUNITY-COLLEGESTO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY IN BUSINESS OUTREACH

This article examines how community colleges can become more proactive partners in local economic development. It focuses on how networking can help community colleges in building their capacity in this relativ ely new area of intervention. Three community colleges that are member s of such a network-the Consortium for Manufacturing Competitiveness-a re examined. The author concludes that the preexisting capacity and lo cal and state government support of the two successful colleges were a s important as the network in determining their success. The barriers to effective business outreach are discussed, and recommendations for community colleges conclude the article.