Under secretary of Rural Development Dorr speaks on rural development. "It would be grevious to let finance in biodiesel, ethanol and wind energy come from outside the state,"

The way Tom Dorr sees things, the best paths for economic development in rural areas are in renewable energy, broadband access and location.

Dorr, the under secretary of rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, spoke Thursday at the Business Education Series presented by the Greater Cedar Valley Chambers of Commerce – Waterloo and Cedar Falls.

Location made his list because quality of life is becoming an increasingly large factor in where businesses choose to plant roots. Dorr said by having natural advantages such as lower taxes, affordable housing, good schools and simple peace and quiet, rural areas can more easily compete with urban areas for business.

Going hand-in-hand with location is broadband access. High-speed Internet connection are enabling companies to perform work in remote areas with the same efficiency as working in New York or Los Angeles.

"People are having real choices about where they want to live and where they want to do business," Dorr said.

By RC BALABAN, Courier Staff Writer

Full Story: http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2006/02/10/business/local/807daa66bdeae06e8625711100467c99.txt