During the past decade, many rural and urban residents have turned to home-based self-employment as a means of providing for themselves and their families. Home-based work can be considered a form of community development for its potential as an alternative or supplemental income source for residents and for its economic multiplier effect on a community and region. This article reports results from a nine-state study on home-based employment—who does it and what they do—and estimates its economic impact on communities. Suggestions for building a supportive environment for home-based and microenterprises are discussed.
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