Ethanol has been embraced enthusiastically as a solution to many problems, including national energy security, global warming, air pollution, farm incomes, and local economic development. The industry has boomed in the United States: There were 54 ethanol plants in 2000, 134 by the end of 2007,...

Comparing local employment portfolios against entrepreneurship, this research finds that local wage and salary job market prospects shape incentives for potential entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship may thus be more attractive in areas featuring high employment risk and/or low returns. This research...