The basis of many rural or nonmetropolitan development strategies is job creation. This is true whether the goal is a more evenly distributed population, increased income, higher overall standards of living, decreased unemployment1 an expanded economic base, or a combination of these goals. Manufacturing industry traditionally has been viewed as the most effective vehicle to create jobs and establish the basis for long term growth. This bias in favor of manufacturing derives from its role as the major source of economic and employment growth in modern Western development. The basic assumption behind most job creation strategies at the national, state and local level is that this will continue to be the case. However, there are indications that this focus will not prove as fruitful in the future.