12 Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission Industrial Competitive - Ness Demonstra - Tion Projects

Melvin Mark is Professor of Psychology at Penn State University, and a social psychologist and program evaluator. Irwin Feller is Director, Graduate School of Public Policy and Administration, and Professor of Economics at Penn State University. Amy Glasmeier is Associate Professor of Geography at Penn State University. This paper provides a selective overview of an evaluation plan for six industry information and worker training demonstration projects funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) under its Regional Development Initiative to Enhance Manufacturing Competitiveness (Industrial Competitiveness Initiative). Some tentative generalizations are also made regarding the evaluation of manufacturing modernization more generally.