2015_CED_Forum
- 1. Downtown Pulaski Needs Us A Community Economic Development Forum
- 2. Beans and Rice, Inc. Building Assets and Capacities Today’s Agenda • Introductions • Forum Goals & Purpose • Background: Small Towns, Big Ideas • Panel • Q & A • Next Steps, Where do we go now? www.beansandrice.org info@beansandrice.org (540) 633-6270
- 4. 4/30/2015 www.beansandrice.org 540-633-6270 4 This is me! •Connect with me on LinkedIn: •ebucey@beansandrice.org •http://www.linkedin.com/in/beansandriceed
- 5. Community Needs Our Vision Local Communities where all people possess economic resources to meet their basic and higher order needs
- 6. www.beansandrice.org info@beansandrice.org (540) 633-6270 Beans and Rice, Inc. Building Assets and Capacities Mission Statement Beans and Rice is a community economic development organization that improves the economic well-being of low and moderate income families and children through community education and asset development programs.
- 7. Program Services & Activities
- 8. a place, meeting, or medium where ideas and views on a particular issue can be exchanged. fo · rum - noun
- 10. ED - Development linking policy and private commerce to create jobs, businesses, and wealth CED – Process where communities self define problems and find local solutions that broadly improve social, economic, civic, and environmental conditions Community Economic Development
- 11. Knowledge Sharing – Best Practices
- 15. Who is a Community Economic Developer?
- 16. Etowah, Tennessee Small Towns, Big Ideas Lessons from a Peer Community
- 17. Profile • Under 10,000 • Median income • Textiles left • Unemployment peaked at 20% • Empty storefronts Assets • Gateway to Cherokee Forrest • Railway • River • Heritage focused Strategies • Industrial development • Tourism • Downtown redevelopment Similarities
- 18. Outcomes • City-sponsored rail excursions bring more than 10,000 visitors annually • Since 1999 lodging increased from one motel to 9 inns/bed and breakfasts and a sleep hotel • Waupaca foundry opened and employs 600 • Johns Manville Fibers employs 300 and invested $100 million in expansion • Average industrial wages average $16 - $20 per hour • Anchor manufacturers have attracted supply-chain partners • CDBG grants have funded sidewalk and lighting improvements • Shoppers travel 2 hours to access second hand market
- 19. Lesson One – Community Development is Economic Development Focused on existing assets Heritage assets attracted tourists Leveraged quality of life factors to attract industry Lesson Two – Proactive, future orientation, embrace change and assume risk Adapted to shifts in social, economic and civic conditions Sought cleaner technology-based industries to avoid brain drain and give young talent a reason to stay Textiles left and used historical, natural and infrastructure to guide local strategy What Worked?
- 20. Lesson Three – A Broadly held local vision Roots traced back to community planning exercise Utilized a coalition approach of government, business, and civic orgs & leaders Lesson Four – Assets and opportunities yield innovation Second hand market sprung up in distressed downtown (antiques, sundries) Shifted marketing and hours to benefit from rail traffic Created quality marketing and merchandising - attracts shoppers from 2 hours away What Worked?
- 21. Lesson Five – Innovative local governance, partnerships, organizations Engaged broad stakeholders in community planning exercise, non-profit heritage orgs were key Used existing resources and know-how to help merchants adapt product lines Young, gritty leaders served as tireless advocates and secured resources Lesson Seven – Comprehensive strategies and tools Broad definition of small town assets Multi-faceted approach – Tourism, Industry, Downtown Revitalization What Worked?
- 22. Panel Discussion
- 24. Community Planning Exercise Additional Learning Exchanges Steering Committee - Collaboration What are the next steps?
- 25. Who is a Community Economic Developer?
- 26. Downtown Pulaski Needs Us A Community Economic Development Forum