The long-term development of local retail and services sectors in Rural Southern counties

This research examines the trend in retail and services capture, as measured by location quotients, in counties throughout the South from 1969 to 1997. Analysis indicates that location quotients have been falling on average in nonmetropolitan and trade shed counties in the retail and services industries. However, location quotient values have not, in general, been converging to any particular value. Further, there is substantial mobility (both upward and downward) in county location quotients over time. Both findings suggest that there is potential for success with public policy programs designed to help local communities capture more local spending.