The companies that provide jobs in a given community or geographic location.

Refers to an area's industrial and commercial structure -- the companies and industries that residents depend on to earn a living.

The commercial or industrial foundation of a community which provides opportunities for employment.

A theory of economic growth that is grounded in the idea that a local economy is most effectively stimulated by the dollars earned from exports. However, this theory ignores other important factors such as increases in the productivity of resources and increases in investment from outside the region as potential sources of growth in income.

The level of business activity in a community-particularly activity that brings income into the community from surrounding areas.