This paper describes the role of local partnerships between public and private organizations in the delivery of workforce and economic development services in the United States. The paper grew out of a study tour, conducted by the Upjohn Institute in conjunction with the Local Employment and Economic Development Committee of the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development, during which delegates from 14 European countries visited nearly two dozen partnership organizations in the U.S. Midwest. The study summarizes the history of local partnerships in the U.S., tracks the separate evolution of workforce and economic development activities, describes the leadership roles of the federal and state governments in fostering partnerships, and provides case studies of current public-private partnerships that the delegates visited on the tour. Lessons are drawn regarding the efficiency of partnerships, the efficiency of service delivery, the local management of programs, and the proper roles of federal, state, and local governments in the provision of workforce and economic development services. (Contains 14 references.) (Author/KC)