Studying communication networks in Appalachian Kentucky community development planning processes

Census data and Appalachian Regional Commission designation as distressed counties indicate Appalachian Kentucky is deep in poverty. This ´poverty of place´ and the region´s pattern of out-migration provide obstacles to economic development. Based in the theoretical connections between communication, communities and community or economic development, the study considers both technological (traditional) and alternative views of community development. Evaluating communication in support of community development requires the use of social network analysis (SNA) to develop models describing communication and social networks of participants in local planning. Participant descriptions of their networks become data, which may be translated into matrices and graphed using SNA methodology. Such study evaluates ´community development´ planning processes, their horizontal and dialogical communication and the participative (inclusive) nature of the networks.