Information linkages in local economic development

Profitable private investments may be bypassed in struggling regions due pr ecisely to such regions' isolation, leading to a self-reinforcing cycle of marginalization. In many cases, development in such regions may be most eff ectively promoted by providing key information to the private and public se ctors, thus addressing potentially significant market failures. In the case study project, the calculation of private and social returns have been par ticularly crucial in sparking both private investor interest and public sup port of this business venture. The project's example suggests an updated ro le for universities in the assistance of productive economic development pr ograms.