Overview: A Combination of Longrun Forces and Short-Term Macroeconomic Fluctuations Are Shaping Rural Industry; National Economy: Global Conditions Hurting Rural Economy; Demand for Worker Skills: Future Job Growth Will Benefit Educated Workers Most, Most Jobs Created by Exports Are in Medium- and High-Skill Occupations, Manufacturing Employers Report Widespread Problems with Labor Quality, Advanced Technology Means Better Pay and Benefits for Workers; Deregulated Industries: Rural Businesses May Benefit from Big Transportation Funding Increases, Electric Utility Industry Restructuring: Issues for Rural America, Deregulation Will Not Eliminate Rural Banks; Appendix A: Data Sources; Appendix B: Definitions; Appendix C: Latest Trends in Nonfarm Jobs and Earnings; Appendix D: Two Methods of Measuring Farm-Linked Employment; Appendix E: Economic Activity Triggered by Agricultural Trade; Appendix Tables
