In 1965, Smithtown, Arkansas, had virtually no natural resources, core competencies, human capital advantages, or infrastructure advantages. The local river was impassable and not suitable for transport, and the town had no rail line and no airport. Smithtown’s young population (about 18,000 scattered across two counties) was pretty much stagnant and comparatively less educated than the rest of the United States. Although Smithtown had low-cost land .....more

Teaching note for product W25555.