Innovative development strategies of small and medium-sized towns the Republic of Bashkortostan: specifics problems and resource potential

Abstraсt. The article considers the main problems of small and medium-sized towns of the Republic of Bashkortostan, and also identifies their resource potential for socio-economic development. There are 21 towns which are located on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan, 7 towns such as Belebey, Beloretsk, Ishimbai, Kumertau, Meleuz, Sibai, Tuymazy are medium-sized, and the others 9 such as Agidel, Baymak, Birsk, Blagoveshchensk, Davlekanovo, Durtyuli, Mezhgorye, Uchaly, Yanaul are considered as small towns with a population of less than 50 thousand people. It should be admitted that in the context of the need to transition from raw materials specialization of the economy to innovation, it has special value of effective using potential of small and medium-sized towns. An integrated approach to develop small and medium-sized towns of the Republic of Bashkortostan based on an innovative strategy which is able to provide the competitiveness and sustainability of their development.