Februarv/March 1983 RAIN Page 13 development. Resources for co-ops are brief but comprehensive in variety: book and periodical annotations, new technical assistance reports, organizational developments, and conference information. A new column allows co-ops and Co-op Bank stockholders to communicate with the Bank's Board of Directors. CDAP, a branch of the Conference, also has published National Consumer Bank Eligibility: How Co-ops and Community Organizations Can Use the Co-op Bank in 1982 and is available for $4.95 from Conference Publications at the above address. Shutdown: A Guidefor Communities Facing Plant Closings Jacqueline Mazza, Project Director No^east-Midwest Institute Publications Office PO Box 37209 Washington, DC 20013 $8.00 ppd., 1982,65 pp. While plant closures naHonwide have become as frequent as rain showers in the Pacific Northwest, employees themselves have bought companies in 60 instances since 1971; all but two of these enterprises have succeeded. As the Chinese word for crisis indicates {wei-ji meaning both danger and opportunity), a plant closure can be transformed into a new avenue to community autonomy and sustainability. This guide will assist most any group or coalition to do just that. Its usefulness lies in the clearly described tier of steps frequently taken by communihes struck with factory closedowns. Laden with both successful and unsuccessful examples, a bibliography of self-help guides, a list of contacts for additional information, and alternative uses for plant and base fadlihes. Shutdown also discusses "early- warning" indicators to plant closure. This map of possibility belongs in the hands of community organizers and leaders anywhere. For further information, see "Small Towns and Factory Qos- ings: Impacts and Alternatives," by Greg Hooks, et al. Small Town, Jan/Feb. 1982, $4.00 ppd., from Smfl//Towm, PO Box 517, Ellensburg, WA 98926. Developing Neighborhood Association of Kansas City 560 Westport Rd. Kansas City, MO 64111 816/753-4949 The Associahon was started by Joe Falk, author of Cooperating Community Development. It is a neighborhood owned and controlled regional cooperative whose purpose is to make people in the area aware of what they can do for themselves by investing in their neighborhoods. The Association has an ongoing series of workshops aimed at providing information on how to develop neighborhoods cooperatively, how to obtain financial assistance, how to increase jobs and services in the neighborhood, and how to develop neighborhood tax shelters. Services; The New Economy Thomas M. Stanback, Jr., et al Allanheld, Osmun and Co. 81 Adams Drive Totowa,NJ 05712 $27.00 paper, 1982,156pp. This book, one in a series from the Conservation of Human Resources Group, helps to straighten out the picture of our changing economy which is often summarized as moving from industrial to ost-industrial, or from manufacturing- ased to service-based. The authors contend that this is true in some ways, but the analysis of available data on the economy would suggest a different picture than that painted by some post industrial futurists. What the statistics seem to show is that the greatest growth in our economy and employment base is in "producer services," not "consumer services." The growth of producer services is the result of many factors: automation, increased product differentiation, and increased wealth of many consumers. The producer service segment of the economy is growing at a rate of 4.5% p>er annum, three to four times the rate of other segments, including consumer services. The fact is, there are more services for planning, product development, and market strategy — to name a few. Instead of offering one service, a modem corporation may offer many, and may be in the midst of developing many more. All this creates employment. The products themselves are aimed at the increasing number of people who, because of increased wealth, are now desiring what the authors call "convenience needs" and "lifestyle/identity needs," leaving a smaller and smaller part of the economy behind to deal with those whose needs are at the basic survival level. In fact, one of the more devastating conclusions of the book is that the service economy might increase the difference between rich and poor, as the more successful part of the economy is directed toward selling convenience and lifestyle/ identity goods to the upper class. Good Money The Newsletter ofSocialInvesting and Inventing Box 363, Clais Stage Rd. Worcester, VT 05682 Bi-monthly, $108/institutions and corporations; $36/individuals and nonprofits; $12/students and individuals with less than $13,000 annual income Good Money is a new pjeriodical dealing with issues of socially responsible investment. In its opening editorial. Good Money describes itself as being "based on the belief that the jx)or performance of many world economies is the result of unrealistic and oppressive policies, name-calling in social discourse, and the failure to consider human values in economic decision-making." The magazine reports on the increasing number of corporate officers, union members, investors, consumers, community residents, and members of special interest groups who are searching for new ways of raising capital and putting that capital to work to revitalize the social economy. The'first issue reports on several socially responsible corporations and unique non-profit organizations seeking to create stronger local economic conditions.
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