Since the appearance of the first edition in 1990, Planning Local Economic Development has been the foundation for an entire generation of practitioners and academics working in planning and policy development. Written by authors with years of academic, regional, and city planning experience, the book has been used widely in graduate economic development, urban studies, nonprofit management, and public administration courses.

Now thoroughly updated for the challenges of the 21st century with deeper coverage of sustainability and resiliency, the Fifth Edition explores the theories of local economic development while addressing the issues and opportunities faced by cities, towns, and local entities in crafting their economic destinies within the global economy. Authors Nancey Green Leigh and Edward J. Blakely provide a thoroughly up-to-date exploration of planning processes, analytical techniques and data, and locality, business, and human resource development, as well as advanced technology and sustainable economic development strategies.