Grisham, Vaughn L., Tupelo: The Evolution of Community. Dayton, Ohio: Kettering Foundation Press, 1999.

This book tells the remarkable story of Tupelo, Mississippi's emergence as a national model for homegrown community development. Tupelo is located in Lee County, one of the poorest counties in one of the poorest states in the Union. Today, both city and county are thriving. The author uses this case study to demonstrate that community development is often a vital component of economic development.