The leaders in so many communities express the desire for the young people in the community to either stay or return home when they finish their education. To achieve this means creating a community that young people can and will want to live in. Actions focused on developing a sustainable, cohesive community with all the desired qualities – and desired quality of life.
Such an approach considers the interrelated mosaic of economic, social and environmental factors, and includes residents as both active participants and beneficiaries, playing a dynamic role rather than being passive recipients. If young people are to be the beneficiaries of community economic development, they must be integrally involved in the decision process and have a voice in what they really want the community to be.
A top priority is to create high-quality jobs that pay living wages and offer solid benefits for people at every income level, generating economic progress that truly reaches those who need it most. This approach incorporates supporting and expanding existing businesses that are the backbone of any community’s economy and attracting new ones, but also actively seeking out organizations with positions that offer real opportunities for career growth and advancement.
These actions help shape strategies that build stronger and more resilient communities – communities that can weather economic ups and downs. Thinking long term and making the choices that protect resources introduces positive results for both the people and the environment and ensure that the actions don’t contribute to environmental harm.
Investment in physical infrastructure to revitalize business districts, along with the development of new affordable housing and preservation of the structures that can be transformed into affordable housing, is key. If there’s nowhere for new residents to live, no new businesses are going to move in. Yet, a critical part of the mix is the “missing middle’ residences that suit families as part of a whole portfolio of housing options that can be offered to new and existing residents.
All of the above approaches contribute to building of community assets, focused on place-based/asset-based community economic development – strengthening what is already there, rather than depending on recruiting businesses to come in from outside the community. This approach can serve as a catalyst to attract additional investment in the community, instill a greater pride of place and improve the quality of life all around.
Translating our values into our practice of economic development:
- We hold ourselves to the highest standards of excellence delivering results that set the benchmark and continuously raising it,
- We combine proven methods with fresh thinking to help our clients lead in their communities.
- We believe in honest, transparent advice, built on trust and integrity, so the communities we work with can succeed with confidence.
We are committed to resilient and sustainable solutions that strengthen economies and communities for the long term.