Systems Planning of Economic Development in Eastern Oklahoma

A model which simulates the results of potential policy strategies directed toward alleviating problems of underdevelopment in rural areas is developed and utilized. For each strategy simulated, limited public funds are assumed allocable among various types of development activities (public assistance, human development, job development). Findings indicate that with a 30%–40% annual increase in development allocations, study area poverty can virtually be eliminated in no more than fifteen years. Public assistance and industrialization programs are found to be the necessary bases of potentially successful development plans.