This report examines the possibilities of improving the economic prospects of rural communities and regions through the provision of business assistance. Several specific approaches to business assistance are discussed: a focus on small business, industrial targeting, retention and expansion programs, seed and venture capital programs, industrial parks, business incubators, and enterprise zones. The authors stress that the success of any specific business assistance approach will depend upon the context, and that the strength of an overall economic development strategy for a rural community or region is likely to come from the thoughtful combination of several elements, often including some business assistance, rather than the selection of a single "perfect" ingredient.