Will energy markets refuel the rural economy
回顾2006年美国农村经济状况，分析能源价格上涨对农村的影响，指出参与能源生产可提振部分社区，但整体经济因成本上升和干旱而放缓，同时乙醇生产推高作物价格带来新希望。
The rural economy began 2006 facing an uncertain outlook. For two years, rural growth had been unusually strong. But rising energy prices threatened to stall the expansion. Many businesses had already been weakened by high input costs, and many households were feeling squeezed by higher costs for gas and heating fuel. As the year progressed, however, some rural communities were able to harness the power of high energy prices by taking part in its production. Energy activity helped boost the fortunes of many rural places, but the rural economy as a whole slowed in 2006. Nonfarm economic growth moderated as production costs increased and construction activity cooled. Farm incomes also declined as severe drought limited production and higher energy prices cut profits. Still, rising crop prices fueled by ethanol production kindled optimism for new economic engines in rural America. This article reviews the state of the rural economy in 2006 and discusses