Organized in a series of logically ordered planning components, this citizen's handbook seeks to develop local expertise for evaluating major economic impacts (economic growth or decline) in nonmetropolitan centers. In each section the user is guided through a set of simple calculations which provide quantitative answers regarding a particular area of impact. An introduction discusses use of the handbook and lists some preliminary questions which must be answered. The remainder of the handbook is divided into two parts concerning the two kinds of impact: growth and decline. Part A deals with new development and part B with the loss of a major employer. Both parts are parallel in outline since the same issues must be confronted. The four major topics in each part are (1) economic and demographic impacts (employment, population), (2) housing and transportation, (3) environmental services (water, sewer, solid waste), and (4) social services (education, health care, public safety, quality of life). In each section some questions concerning impact are answered, and then questions using sample data and/or regarding one's own community are given for user solution. A summary concludes each section. (YLB)