TOOLKIT
Targeted Economic Development: Providing Care For Healthy Communities
This toolkit is designed for those educators and assistance providers who are working with communities desiring to enhance their local economic base. Community leaders are often overwhelmed with the options facing them. The handout and power point presentation reviews the CARE model-which presents alternatives for economic development. Time is also spent defining economic development and emphasizing "sustainable development" as a broader term concerned with equity and environmental issues as well as profitability.
The benefits of successful planning are outlined as well as examples of mission statements, goals and objectives.
Instructors may use the handout and accompanying power point presentation
to address three issues:
- What is economic development and how do we consider the broader picture including equity and environmental concerns?
- What are sources of jobs and income for our local economy? (Creation-Attention-Retention-Expansion)
- How can be being to consider a planning approach that will vision and specific goals to enhance our local economic base?
The survey instruments presented in this toolkit can play three very important roles in developing an economic development strategy. First they will help identify strengths and weaknesses in the community. Second, the survey will help set priorities for economic development. Third, and perhaps just as important, soliciting opinions from a cross section of the community will inform them of the economic development effort and may gain their support if they feel that they have had the opportunity to voice their opinions
Exhibit 1 provides an overview of the "CARE" model which reviews economic development options. Exhibit 2 pictures the ten steps to utilize in strategic planning for local economic development. Exhibit 3 is a checklist covering key concerns for community planners involved in economic development
Exhibit 4 is a quality of life survey that many communities have used to identify strengths, concerns, possible goals and influential leaders. Exhibit 5, is a survey "What's Good About Your Community" analyzing items which may be important to a town. Items can be ranked good-fair-or-poor by the survey respondents.
Potential users of these surveys should note these forms are only a "model" or suggestions. Individual communities may want to modify the questions to suit specific needs. Thought should be given to who is surveyed, and how the results will be tabulated and reported.
After the assessments and surveys, a community vision should be developed. Exhibit 6 describes three scenarios related to possible visions (or lack of shared visions). Exhibits 7-8-9 are worksheets to utilize as community goals and objectives are formed.
