The study analyzed support patterns for two predominant "liberal" development strategies ("growth centers" and the consolidation of government services) among elites from communities in a largely underdeveloped rural region of Wisconsin. Analytic focus was twofold: (1) to assess overall levels of support among community elites, and (2) to compare the magnitude of elite support, where possible, with that of a random sample of residents from the same region. The social and ideological bases of community elite support for liberal development policies were also examined and relevant comparisons made with 231 community elites in 32 communities ranging in size from approximately 1,000 to 50,000 residents. Respondents were chosen by a combination of the "positional" and "reputational" methods of selecting community leadership. Data on growth center policy preferences among a random sample of four Northwest Wisconsin counties, bordering that of the community elites, were collected during the summer of 1973. Some findings were: community elites and non-elites in the Northwest region were divided on the policy of implementing growth centers; elites strongly favored consolidation of service delivery by community and county governments; and growth centers were more favored by community elites and low income, nonfarm families. (NQ)