WASHINGTON, November 19, 2004—The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation have announced the release of a new publication, Learning by Doing, to promote youth entrepreneurship in the Appalachian Region. Highlighting educational programs that teach students the basic elements of running a business, the publication also underscores the importance of interpersonal and social skills in achieving success.

Americans live in a nation where entrepreneurs have created a high standard of living. But while some communities can boast numerous entrepreneurial ventures energizing economic development, other communities find themselves lacking in entrepreneurial vision. Learning by Doing is full of ideas especially designed to encourage Appalachian youths to risk venturing into the world of entrepreneurship and to become the successful businessmen and -women who create economic growth and jobs.

The educational programs featured in Learning by Doing range from a high-tech service project in a northern Mississippi middle school that stresses dependability and a strong customer orientation to a faith-based effort in Nashville, Tennessee, where children as young as second grade cultivate character and initiative while learning how to make an investment yield returns.

These programs "provide great examples of what can happen when young entrepreneurs learn the value of teamwork, vision, and responsibility," said ARC Federal Co-Chair Anne B. Pope. "Nurturing tomorrow's leaders is an essential tool to help grow good local jobs and diversify local economies, making them more resilient in the face of change."

Learning by Doing is available in PDF format on the ARC Web site. Copies are also available from ARC at (202) 884-7750.