1. Asset Based Collaborative Strategies for Rural Community Economic Development Cooperative Extension Conference “Connections and Engagement” October 19-21, 2010 Madison, Wisconsin Laura Brown, Dan Kuzlik, and Bill Pinkovitz
2. What to Expect Welcome What is asset based economic development? Examples on the ground: Multicounty Rural Transportation System Inventors and Entrepreneurs Clubs Community Funds & Foundations Tools for knowing our assets Questions and sharing
3. What is economic development? “The process of retaining, expanding, and attracting jobs, income and wealth in a manner that improves individual economic opportunities and the quality of human life.” Asset based economic development focuses on what’s working in our communities and the resources we already have
29. “I’ve lived here all my life and I know what this town needs” “Nuthin ever changes around here”
30. “We just moved here from the Twin Cities and we know just what this town needs”
31. Using secondary data to identify assets, opportunities and changes within your community AND Focus discussion on real issues.
32.
33. He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts for support rather than illumination Andrew Lang (1844-1912)
34. Lafayette County, Wi The County is projected to lose an average of -22 people per year through out-migration between 2000 and 2035. How many people moved into Lafayette County between 2007 and 2008? a) 12 b) 123 c) 413 d) 758
35. Lafayette County, Wi The County is projected to lose an average of -22 people per year through out-migration between 2000 and 2035. How many people move into Lafayette County between 2007 and 2008? a) 12 b) 123 c) 413 d) 758 (5 percent)
36. 758 people may not sound like many, but in ten years that’s equal to almost half of the county’s estimated 2010 population of 16,149. Lafayette County, Wi
37. Lafayette County In what percentage of the Lafayette County families with children under 18 and both mother and father present in the home do both mom and dad work? a) 59% b) 66% c) 81% http://factfinder.census.gov
38. Lafayette County In what percentage of the Lafayette County families with children under 18 and both mother and father present in the home do both mom and dad work? a) 59% b) 66% c) 81% http://factfinder.census.gov
41. Are you involved in any asset based economic development efforts? Have you encountered the need based mindset in your community? What other tools have you used to determine local assets? What are your successes? Challenges? Questions and Sharing
42. Thank you! Laura Brown Crawford CountyLaura.brown@ces.uwex.eduDan Kuzlik Bill Pinkovitz
Editor's Notes
LAURAMany views of what economic development ISTraditionally- the three legged stool- 1)business attraction, 2)business retention and expansion, 3) entrepreneurship development VERSUSA web or system of interrlated activitiesAny strategy for economic development, is part of a “web” of related activities, people, businesses, and infrastructure that contributes to our economy. I like the web metaphor because it highlights how a community really needs the multiple strands of the economy to keep the economy strong.So, from a tourism perspective its not enough to say we want “tourists.” This means asking some tough questions: If people come, where will they spend money ( if we open up a river for canoeing, are there places for canoeists to stay)? How will they get here? How will they find out about us ( Do we have a website?)? Would tourists consider buying a home here? How will tourism impact our communities (increase in motorcycle traffic for instance? ) Economic development is impacted by many other activitiesTraditional economic development focuses on three main areas”Business retention and expansionEntrepeneurship DevelopmentBusiness attraction- Historically, this has been the emphasis of many economic development programs
LAURADescribe what an “asset based strategy” is and how it is different from other strategies. There are a number of asset based economic development strategies that have emerged in recent years – and several that groups and organizations are pursuing on our area- including - “Economic Gardening”- Littleton Colorado, “Enterprise Facilitation”- pioneered by Ernesto Sirolli and “HomeTown Competitiveness” - a model being piloted in the entire state of Nebraska. John McKnight and his colleague John community development researchers with the Asset Based Community Development Institute at Northwestern University – developed this to focus on dealing with problems in low income areas. ABCD focuses on the assets of community members including individuals, associations, and institutions. A key measure of success is the strength of relationships between them. Why focus on assets??When we focus only on needs, deficiencies- this becomes the mental map we use to think about our communities and the way we talk about our communities. “We are the second poorest county in Wisconsin” This is not only not a very compelling call to action but creates an environment of apathy. Mcknight argues that the needs based approach leads to a focus on attracting service providers or experts who can solve our problems- this often creates a cycle of dependence. This ignores community members or organizations that could partner to address a problem and strengthen connections within the community..
DAN!- Used needs assessment strategyThis will happen..
