TIGER grants replaced by BUILD grants for local/regional transportation infrastructure

From U.S. Department of Transportation press release:

U.S. Department of Transportation Launches BUILD Transportation Program,
Announces $1.5 Billion Notice of Funding Opportunity

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to apply for $1.5 billion in discretionary grant funding through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program.

BUILD Transportation grants replace the pre-existing Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. As the Administration looks to enhance America’s infrastructure, FY 2018 BUILD Transportation grants are for investments in surface transportation infrastructure and are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. BUILD funding can support roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports or intermodal transportation.

“BUILD Transportation grants will help communities revitalize their surface transportation systems while also increasing support for rural areas to ensure that every region of our country benefits,” said Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

Projects for BUILD will be evaluated based on merit criteria that include safety, economic competitiveness, quality of life, environmental protection, state of good repair, innovation, partnership, and additional non-Federal revenue for future transportation infrastructure investments.

To reflect the Administration’s Infrastructure Initiative, DOT intends to award a greater share of BUILD Transportation grant funding to projects located in rural areas that align well with the selection criteria than to such projects in urban areas.  The notice highlights rural needs in several of the evaluation criteria, including support for rural broadband deployment where it is part of an eligible transportation project.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 made available $1.5 billion for National Infrastructure Investments, otherwise known as BUILD Transportation Discretionary grants, through September 30, 2020.  For this round of BUILD Transportation grants, the maximum grant award is $25 million, and no more than $150 million can be awarded to a single State, as specified in the FY 2018 Appropriations Act. At least 30 percent of funds must be awarded to projects located in rural areas.

To provide technical assistance to a broad array of stakeholders, DOT is hosting a series of webinars during the FY 2018 BUILD grant application process. A webinar on how to compete for BUILD Transportation Grants for all applicants will be held on Thursday, May 24; a webinar for rural and tribal applicants will be held on Tuesday, May 29; and a webinar on how to prepare a benefit cost analysis for a BUILD application will be held on Thursday, May 31. All webinars will take place from 2:00-4:00 PM EDT. Details and registration information regarding these webinars will be made available at www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants/outreach. The Department will schedule additional webinars on these topics in June.

The deadline to submit an application for the FY 2018 BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grants program is July 19, 2018.

For more information, please visit www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants.

Posted in infrastructure, Transportation | Comments Off on TIGER grants replaced by BUILD grants for local/regional transportation infrastructure

Happy Economic Development Week!

This week has been designated as Economic Development Week to recognize the hard work economic developers accomplish to make their communities stronger and to highlight the importance of an organized economic development effort to the wealth and sustainability of our communities.  Since 2016, more than 500 individual Economic Development Week celebrations have been officially recognized by mayors, governors and federal agencies across the United States and Canada.

I bet Hallmark already has a card for Economic Development Week.

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An update on Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds

The first deadline for designation of Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds have passed and the U.S. Department of Treasury has begun evaluating and officially designating Opportunity Zones.  You may check out the status of Opportunity Zone designations on an interactive map located online.  You will need to zoom in to the area of interest and click on the layers button in the menu (the icon looks like a stack of papers) and be sure that the box for “Opportunity Zone Tract Designated” is clicked.

For more information on Opportunity Zone and Opportunity Funds, click on the link below:

Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds – Another Economic Tool for Your Community?

 

Posted in economic development incentives | Comments Off on An update on Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds

Have your quality in economic development programs recognized by your peers

Wouldn’t it be great to have your quality in economic development programs recognized by your peers to prove your value to your stakeholders?  The IEDC 2018 Excellence in Economic Development Awards application deadline quickly approaching on May 11, 2018.

International Economic Development Council’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. These 34 awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Winners are recognized at IEDC’s Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia to be held September 30th to October 3rd.

What Can an IEDC Award Offer Your Organization?

IEDC is the world’s largest membership organization serving the economic development profession. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development.

Recipients of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards demonstrate to our experienced panel of judges that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession. We recognize the most successful, innovative, and effective leaders, programs, partnerships, and promotional materials. Award recipients gain valuable publicity and exposure among their peers in the economic development field, media, and prospects. Raise the visibility of your organization – apply for an Excellence in Economic Development award today!

Applications must be postmarked by May 11, 2018 to meet the final deadline. For more information, go to www.iedcevents.org/Atlanta/Awards.html.

Posted in economic development leadership | Comments Off on Have your quality in economic development programs recognized by your peers

Retail Development Event for Tennessee and Kentucky

The 2018 ICSC Tennessee/Kentucky Idea Exchange will be held on Monday, July 23rd and Tuesday, July 24th in Louisville, Kentucky.  This is always a great event to learn more about retail development and the latest trends in attracting new retailers and developers to your community.  I have attended larger events held by the International Council of Shopping Centers, but if you are working for a community in these states, attendance is certainly worth consideration.  See you there!

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How to ask your local government for money to promote rural tourism

Click on the link below:

How to Ask For Tax Dollars to Market Your Rural Tourism Destination

Posted in Rural Tourism | Comments Off on How to ask your local government for money to promote rural tourism

Happy Pi Day!

I hope that you have a happy Pi day, whether you want to celebrate the irrational number 3.14159265359…., which is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, or the tasty round treat.

Posted in math, pi | Comments Off on Happy Pi Day!

2018 IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Awards

International Economic Development Council’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. These 34 awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities. Winners are recognized at IEDC’s Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia to be held September 30th to October 3rd.

What Can an IEDC Award Offer Your Organization?

IEDC is the world’s largest membership organization serving the economic development profession. From public to private, rural to urban, and local to international, our members represent the entire range of economic development.

Recipients of IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards demonstrate to our experienced panel of judges that they are at the forefront of the economic development profession. We recognize the most successful, innovative, and effective leaders, programs, partnerships, and promotional materials. Award recipients gain valuable publicity and exposure among their peers in the economic development field, media, and prospects. Raise the visibility of your organization – apply for an Excellence in Economic Development award today!

Applications must be postmarked by May 11, 2018 to meet the final deadline. For more information, go to www.iedcevents.org/Atlanta/Awards.html.

Posted in economic development leadership, IEDC | Comments Off on 2018 IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Awards

Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds – Another Economic Tool for Your Community?

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017 also established what looks like a beneficial tool to attract private capital investment to economically distressed communities.

Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds were included by Congress in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to encourage long-term private sector capital investments in low-income communities (based on Census Tract data).  Governors are tasked with nominating eligible Opportunity Zones to the U.S. Department of Treasury by March 21, 2018 (they may request a 30-day extension from this date).  The governor of each state may nominate up to 25% of low income census tracts for Opportunity Zone status. Opportunity Zones and the associated Opportunity Funds look to have a lot of potential in attracting private investment to economically disadvantaged communities and it may be helpful to advocate for nomination of census tracts in your community.  A map of eligible census tracts may be viewed at this link .

Resources for more information on Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds:
U.S. Department of Treasury Press Release
U.S. Department of Treasury Opportunity Zone Resources
Interactive Map of Census Tracts Eligible for Nomination as Opportunity Zones
International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Informational Webinar on YouTube

Posted in incentives, rural economic development | Comments Off on Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds – Another Economic Tool for Your Community?

Successful Succession Planning for Business

You’ve heard that saying, “All good things must come to an end.”  That end for a business or organization can be as a result of retirement, passing to another generation, moving on to new adventures or less pleasant disruptions one prefers not to mention.  Whether your business or organization is big or small, wouldn’t it be great to see that it has the opportunity to thrive on with its next caretaker or its operations can cease in an orderly, optimum way, whichever way you feel best.  It is something we all should think about as business people — succession planning. Even as the staff person for this economic development organization, I feel an ownership and I would like my successor to have the best chance at success when I move on. So, why wouldn’t any business owner plan for his kids, or wife, or partner, or whomever to have success with the company?

Some resources:

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Successful Succession Planning for Business

Opportunity Funds – A new resource for economic development investment

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017 also established what looks like a beneficial tool to attract private capital investment to economically distressed communities.

Opportunity Zones and their associated Opportunity Funds were included by Congress in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to encourage long-term private sector capital investments in low-income communities (based on Census Tract data).  Governors are tasked with nominating eligible Opportunity Zones to the U.S. Department of Treasury by March 21, 2018 (they may request a 30-day extension from this date).  The governor of each state may nominate up to 25% of low income census tracts for Opportunity Zone status. Opportunity Zones and the associated Opportunity Funds look to have a lot of potential in attracting private investment to economically disadvantaged communities and it may be helpful to advocate for nomination of census tracts in your community.  A map of eligible census tracts may be viewed at this link .

Resources for more information on Opportunity Zones and Opportunity Funds:
U.S. Department of Treasury Press Release
U.S. Department of Treasury Opportunity Zone Resources

Posted in economic development incentives | Comments Off on Opportunity Funds – A new resource for economic development investment

Business resiliency and planning for disruption

Are your businesses prepared to sustain themselves through a disaster or disruption? A great resource for helping businesses and organizations become more resilient is RestoreYourEconomy.org, funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) and managed by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).  According to the website, “RestoreYourEconomy.org provides resources and best practice information for public and private stakeholders who are seeking to rebuild their local economies after an economic disruption, be it a natural disaster or man-made crisis, as well as assisting the business community in preparing for a disruption.  It is a one-stop shop of disaster preparedness, post-disaster economic recovery, and economic resilience resources, tools, event announcements as well as opportunities to connect with peers through social media groups.”

Business Disasters: from zombie apocalypse to our internet is down for a day

As a part of this disaster preparedness for a community, preparing for resilience by planning for business continuity and disaster recovery is also included (visit webpage).  Disasters for business can not only be the obvious flood, tornado, earthquake or zombie apocalypse, but also death or debilitation of key people, computer crashes, broken pipes, cyber-attacks or anything that disrupts business operations.  On the webpage, you will find a link to two (2) free toolkits for small businesses provided by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).  One is focused on business continuity and the other on business preparedness.  The toolkits contain templates and sample procedures that can be easily customized to a business’ specific needs.

Posted in Business resiliency, business retention and expansion, Disaster planning, Disaster preparedness for business | Comments Off on Business resiliency and planning for disruption

Helping businesses connect to customers online

It is easy to forget the importance of technology to promote our communities and to help our businesses connect to customers.  It is not so important to chase the latest, hottest application as it is to pick one or two or three proven social media/technology platforms and commit to doing them well.  I always suggest the first one for a business to look at is Google.  Google literally puts small businesses on the map and helps them to include accurate information relevant to their customers.  Businesses can go to www.gybo.com to find ways to get their information on the Internet using Google and connect, communicate and do business with their community and customers.

For example, at a previous offices where I worked, the Google street view for the building did not show the entrance and, in fact, were an unattractive shot of a point a few yards away.  I was able to get that edited and instead of a view looking down an alley appearing on a search for us, our attractive front door is the first impression to anyone that ‘googles’ the location.

So, don’t worry if you don’t know that ‘swiping right’ is a good thing, just go get your Google going great and your customers will ‘Like’ you.

Posted in economic development technology, technology | Comments Off on Helping businesses connect to customers online

Have a wonderful life this holiday season!

On this Christmas Eve, we watched the holiday movie, It’s a Wonderful Life , which is an annual tradition for us.  I am always reminded (and I’m sure that my wife is tired of my talking about it) that this movie is a story of economic and community development.  George Bailey and the Bailey Bros. Building & Loan Association were integrally engaged in economic and community development. From recruiting Sam Wainwright’s plastic manufacturing facility, to helping Martini in growing his restaurant business, to developing affordable housing to retain Bedford Falls’ labor force, to designing and developing neighborhoods that sustain a thriving community — George Bailey and the economic development efforts of the old Building & Loan made a more wonderful life for the citizens of Bedford Falls.

Hot Dog and Hee Haw, it is a wonderful life. I hope that y’all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Posted in economic development, Quality of place | Comments Off on Have a wonderful life this holiday season!

Small Business Saturday – Better than Black Friday and Cooler than Cyber Monday (Nov. 25th)

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas Shopping Season.  Black Friday can be crazy, so be sure to put Small Business Saturday on your shopping calendar. This year, Small Business Saturday is on November 25th.  You may just find that shopping local, small businesses will not only be fun, but also may reward you with great stuff, good food and unique experiences, making your Cyber Monday shopping less critical. In addition, shopping local small business has the side benefit of helping out your local economy and small business owners and employees.

Small Business Saturday Poster

Posted in rural economic development, shop local, small business | Comments Off on Small Business Saturday – Better than Black Friday and Cooler than Cyber Monday (Nov. 25th)

2017 Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development

I will be busy out of town that week and will miss this event for the first time in many years.  However, economic development professionals, business leaders, community leaders and elected officials will be attending the 64th Annual Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development on October 26th and 27th, 2017 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  It is unusual that the conference will be held outside Nashville, but this will highlight that the Gatlinburg area is open for business after the wildfires of last year. Governor Bill Haslam and his Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development Bob Rolfe will host the conference where new knowledge will be presented and attendees will network and share ideas. In addition, the Governor’s Three Star Awards for economic and community development will be presented to counties that have earned that status for the year.

Details on what I am sure will be another great conference is posted on the Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development event website, www.govcon.tnecd.com.

Posted in economic development | Comments Off on 2017 Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development

2017 IEDC Annual Conference

I arrived in Canada on Friday to participate in the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) conference.  IEDC will officially convene its 2017 Annual Conference here in Toronto, Ontario this afternoon.  Around 1,300 economic development professionals from around the world have already signed up to attend.  The conference will be a great opportunity to make new connections and learn more effective ways to make communities more successful.

I will be speaking at the conference on Wednesday in the session preceding the site selection consultants forum.  I hope to enlighten and entertain the crowd again this year. (my speaker bio)

Posted in economic development leadership | Comments Off on 2017 IEDC Annual Conference

Dove hunting season or shooting for tourism growth

Looking at the analytics and the number of recent hits related to dove season on this blog this morning, I am reminded how diverse rural tourism can be and how difficult it is for a community’s tourism marketing to be all inclusive.  With the change of focus during my transition, this was the first year in probably at least the last 4 that I did not have a post on this blog about an upcoming dove hunting season, dove hunting fields that are open to the public and places in the community for hunters to dine and shop for supplies.

So, it is a few days late, but here is this year’s information.  Dove season for 2017-2018 opens September 1st at Noon and runs to September 28th.  The season later runs from October 14th to November 5th and from December 8th to January 15th. The location of the TWRA dove fields in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area will be listed on TWRA’s website.  More information on dove hunting in Tennessee, including TWRA public accessible fields across the state, can be found on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) Dove Hunting in Tennessee Website.

If your community is motivated to work together to grow your tourism revenues and you need some help, drop us a line.  Those dove hunters may also come back to fish, hike and to buy more experiences and stuff.  And those into ‘antiquing’ may come back to dove hunt (and buy sandwiches and shotgun shells).

Posted in Outdoor sports, rural economic development, Rural Tourism | Comments Off on Dove hunting season or shooting for tourism growth

Disaster and Disruption Planning for Communities and Companies

My thoughts and prayers are with those communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey. In 2010, I was the economic development director in a county heavily impacted by the “2010 Nashville Flood” during which we received around 20 inches of rain. Later, I moved on to another county in the area where preparing for the next disaster was a significant part of my strategic plan.

However, as time passes, spending time and resources on business disruption planning fades on the priority list. Let’s continue to help out those affected by Harvey, but remember the past and the inevitability of future fury from Mother Nature and Murphy’s Law in our communities when we see those images of destruction and disruption in Texas and Louisiana.

A great resource for disaster or just common-place business disruption (for example, the phone line gets cut for a day) planning is available at no cost at www.restoreyoureconomy.org. The International Economic Development Council, with funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration, created and maintains this site with its knowledgeable and experienced staff and members. It provides online training, documentation, planning templates, etc. to make it easier for communities and companies to plan for their next disaster or disruption and to recover as quickly as possible their economy.

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Disaster and Disruption Planning for Communities and Companies

I put a dollar in a change machine and I didn’t get it

Yesterday, I began a new adventure.  After almost 5 years, I submitted my resignation several weeks ago to leave my position as the economic development professional for a county to become more entrepreneurial.  However, I hope to continue to work helping communities and companies succeed in this arena we call economic development.   After over 20 years in economic development, I am looking forward to continuing to utilize the knowledge and skills I have earned in location decisions, tourism marketing, retail development, strategic planning, labor market evaluation, workforce development, community development and economic development to continue to achieve results for those whom I work.

Posted in economic development expert | Comments Off on I put a dollar in a change machine and I didn’t get it

Workforce development for advanced manufacturing in the Cheatham County region

Last October, I posted on this blog about a LEAP 2.o (Labor Education Alignment Program – LEAP) grant that the Cheatham County Joint Economic & Community Development Board in collaboration with the Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Dickson (TCAT) had been awarded. (See “Mechatronics Program to Improve Cheatham’s Manufacturing Skills“.)

We have been working hard to implement this program and equipment to outfit the classrooms for the mechatronics program at the high school has been delivered or is on its way.  Conversations with area employers to integrate work based learning are also well underway.  Everything is on track to start the first class this fall and add to our efforts to develop our workforce for good jobs in the future and to support our current and future employers by maintaining a quality workforce.

mechatronics

Posted in Advanced manufacturing, quality labor force, workforce development | Comments Off on Workforce development for advanced manufacturing in the Cheatham County region

Cheatham County May 2017 unemployment rate lowest in nearly 2 decades

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development released labor market estimates for Tennessee Counties for May 2017 on Thursday afternoon.  The unemployment rate for Cheatham County was the 5th lowest of Tennessee’s 95 counties at 2.3%.  That, combined with a high labor market participation rate (see “How do you measure your workforce? ” for more on the participation rate), is a great sign of healthy community economic development.  Out of curiosity, I did a little research to see how frequently that level of employment had been achieved.  I had to dig back into the data almost 20 years to find a lower unemployment rate for May — May 1999 at 2.0%.  For comparison, the unemployment rate for May 2012 was 7.2%.

Posted in economic development, Qualitätsarbeitskräften, quality labor force | Comments Off on Cheatham County May 2017 unemployment rate lowest in nearly 2 decades

2017 Tennessee Economic and Community Development Conference

The 64th Annual Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development on October 26th and 27th, 2017 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Economic development professionals, business leaders, community leaders and elected officials will be attending, including some from Cheatham County.  This is the first time in my economic and community development career that the conference has been held outside Nashville, but this will highlight the fact that Gatlinburg area is open for business after the wildfires of last year. Governor Bill Haslam and Commissioner Bob Rolfe of the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development will host the conference where new knowledge will be presented and attendees will network and share ideas. In addition, the Governor’s Three Star Awards for economic and community development will be presented to counties that have earned that status for the year.

Details on what I am sure will be another great conference is posted on the Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Economic & Community Development event website, www.govcon.tnecd.com.

Posted in economic development | Comments Off on 2017 Tennessee Economic and Community Development Conference

Tennessee Reconnect: Help for adults to go back to college

In an effort to help Tennesseans qualify for better jobs and to meet the workforce needs of our employers, Tennessee provides assistance to adults who want go back to school and complete a degree or a technical certificate program.  Tennessee Reconnect and the Middle Tennessee Reconnect Community, which includes Cheatham County, not only offers advice to help plan for completing higher education, but they can help adult learners with financial aid.

Posted in education quality, workforce development | Comments Off on Tennessee Reconnect: Help for adults to go back to college

How do you measure your workforce?

This week, I was compiling some recently released data for Cheatham County and the other 94 counties in Tennessee.  The 2016 U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates by County and Labor Force Estimates for Tennessee were released in the past few days.  Cheatham County’s population increased 2% in the period from the 2010 Census to the July 1, 2016 Population Estimate.  No one could call that wild, out-of-control growth, but I find it especially promising considering the county was experiencing population decline five years ago.

We’ll leave the double-digit population increase celebrations to those sitting in traffic congestion, but I used that hat-wearing-cork-popping time looking at other things the numbers say.  With all the talk (and hand wringing) about workforce, I think one number says a lot about how the county’s population views work and the quality of our labor force in Cheatham County.  I calculated a labor participation rate by dividing the latest county’s Labor Force Estimate by its latest population estimate.  Cheatham County ranked fifth (5th) in the state of Tennessee at 53%.  Our neighbor, Davidson County, is number one at 56%.  For comparison, Lake County is 95th at 26%.

Think about that, even considering young people, retirees, disabled, adult students, prisoners and otherwise unemployables — 53% of the total population are ready, willing and able to work and be included in the official labor force.  And at an unemployment rate of 4.2% in February, most of that labor force was working.

Looking at those numbers, the Nashville Region looks good in labor participation.

Davidson 56%
Rutherford 53%
Cheatham 53%
Sumner 52%
Williamson 52%
Robertson 52%
Wilson 52%
Maury 50%
Dickson 49%
Montgomery 41%

Posted in Plätze für Fabriken mit Qualitätsarbeitskräften, Qualitätsarbeitskräften, quality labor force, workforce | Comments Off on How do you measure your workforce?

The It’s a Wonderful Life EDO

From 642 Tiny Things to Write About**:

Write an alternate ending for It’s a Wonderful Life.

I would like to think that George Bailey takes the excess donations from his friends and funds a formal economic development organization for Bedford Falls.  A few years ago at an IEDC Annual Conference in an Ignite presentation I made on how I use It’s a Wonderful Life to explain economic and community development, I even fantasized that Mr. Gower eventually sold his drugstore to Walgreen’s and used some of the proceeds to create a foundation to support economic development in Bedford Falls.

Almost every Christmas season, we watch the holiday movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, many times on the big screen at our renovated Belcourt Theatre.  I am always reminded (and I’m sure that my wife is tired of my talking about it) that this movie is a story of economic and community development.  George Bailey and the Bailey Bros. Building & Loan Association were integrally engaged in economic and community development. From recruiting Sam Wainwright’s plastic manufacturing facility, to helping Martini create and sustain his small business, to developing affordable housing to retain Bedford Falls’ labor force, to designing and developing neighborhoods that sustain a thriving community — George Bailey and the economic development efforts of the old Building & Loan made a more wonderful life for the citizens of Bedford Falls.

**As a crutch to help write a blog post that meets my low standards ([1] I enjoy writing the blog post and [2] there is a reasonable chance someone will find it helpful and/or entertaining), I am occasionally using 642 Tiny Things to Write About, a writing prompt book (it gives 642 topics/scenarios and you write a little about it.)  On first thought, what could these 642 topics/scenarios have to do with economic and community development?  But on looking at it a little closer, like everything else, it doesn’t fall far from the the tree we call economic and community development.  On the dedication page, the book promised “(t)his tiny book contains all the ingredients to expand your mind, make time disappear, and supercharge your creativity.”  If it does this for me in writing for this economic development blog, well, then, it was well worth the purchase price.

Posted in 642 Tiny Things to Write About, economic development, Quality of place | Comments Off on The It’s a Wonderful Life EDO

Why Invest in Economic Development

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) has published a resource, Why Invest in Economic Development, for members, elected officials and others interested in supporting economic development in their communities.

The federal government has always played a key supporting role in local and regional job creation. Included in this publication are only a fraction of federally funded programs which are leading the way as we work toward our common objective: a stronger, more resilient, more inclusive economy for all. For a modest investment of taxpayer dollars, these programs consistently offer a high rate of return. Equally as important, they are often working in communities and policy areas that might be otherwise overlooked by larger agencies and programs. By targeting specific services, regions or demographics, these examples of federal economic development efforts are able to be more impactful and would not be easily absorbed or duplicated by other agencies. These programs are an essential part of a broader effort to maximize opportunity for every American. Federally funded economic development programs included in this publication are not just worthy of our support, but more so, they should be championed.

To download Why Invest in Economic Development, go to this link:  www.iedconline.org/clientuploads/Downloads/2017_Economic_Development_Brochure.pdf

Posted in economic development, infrastructure, rural broadband, rural development, rural economic development | Comments Off on Why Invest in Economic Development

Tennessee Rural Economic Development Conference

We are looking forward to participating in the 22nd annual Tennessee Rural Development Conference to be held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Wednesday and Thursday of this week (March 22-23, 2017.)  The theme is “Rural Renaissance.”

Hosted by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), USDA Rural Development (USDA RD), and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TN ECD), the conference brings together local leaders like those from Cheatham County from across rural Tennessee to encourage, inspire, and learn from each other. The hosts strive to gather expert speakers from across the nation with sessions to cover a broad range of topics important to rural communities from economic and community development strategies to leadership development.

Conference begins at 1:00pm CT Wednesday, March 22, 2017, with registration opening at 11:00am, and ends at 11:00am CT Thursday, March 23, 2017.

Check out the great lineup of speakers and I hope to see you there.

Posted in rural economic development | Comments Off on Tennessee Rural Economic Development Conference

A post with economic development tied to a haiku, it’s true!

From 642 Tiny Things to Write About**:

Write a haiku about your favorite food.

Baloney sandwich
with Coke from a country store
Spring day memories

Country stores, especially those where you can get a bologna sandwich (sliced while you wait in the thickness you want, with cheese if you want, with a slice of tomato if you want, with lettuce if you want, and your choice of Miracle Whip or mustard, are much rarer these days.  Whether you were raised where this was a common lunch with Dad midday of a hard day’s work or if you have never been fortunate to try this local food delicacy prepared served with an experience beyond chain store marketing, there are two notable opportunities on River Road in Cheatham County to satisfy your palate.  Teter’s Market is near the Cheatham/Davidson County line and Lakeview Market & Hardware is a little closer to Ashland City across from Brush Creek Recreation Area (there are fishing piers, boat ramp, picnic tables, restrooms and a playground).  Both can be a destination or a pleasant respite during a car cruise or motorcycle ride in the Nashville, Tennessee area.

**As a crutch to help write a blog post that meets my low standards ([1] I enjoy writing the blog post and [2] there is a reasonable chance someone will find it helpful and/or entertaining), I am occasionally using 642 Tiny Things to Write About, a writing prompt book (it gives 642 topics/scenarios and you write a little about it.)  On first thought, what could these 642 topics/scenarios have to do with economic and community development?  But on looking at it a little closer, like everything else, it doesn’t fall far from the the tree we call economic and community development.  On the dedication page, the book promised “(t)his tiny book contains all the ingredients to expand your mind, make time disappear, and supercharge your creativity.”  If it does this for me in writing for this economic development blog, well, then, it was well worth the purchase price.

 

Posted in 642 Tiny Things to Write About, Qualitätsarbeitskräften, Quality of place, rural economic development | Comments Off on A post with economic development tied to a haiku, it’s true!

Right turn on LOCAL CITIZENS WHO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STREET

I started this blog on August 7, 2007, nearly ten years ago, and after over 1,100 posts, I still find it a challenge to frequently write posts that meet my standards – that I enjoy writing the blog post and that there is a reasonable chance someone will find it helpful and/or entertaining.  While shopping Parnassus Bookstore in Nashville during lunch hour yesterday, I came across 642 Tiny Things to Write About, a writing prompt book (it gives 642 topics/scenarios and you write a little about it.)  On first thought, what does this have to do with economic and community development?  But on looking at it a little closer, like everything else, it doesn’t fall far from the the tree we call economic and community development.  On the dedication page, it promised “This tiny book contains all the ingredients to expand your mind, make time disappear, and supercharge your creativity.”  If it does this for me in writing for this economic development blog when I can’t think of anything to write, well, then, it was well worth the purchase price.

My first ‘tiny thing’ is “Offer a one-sentence argument for who your city should name its next street after.

My city should name its next street “LOCAL CITIZENS WHO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STREET” after the local citizens who support economic development by making the city an attractive, desirable place to live, work and do business by not taking up all those parking spaces in front of our restaurants and retail stores, courteously stopping to let shoppers back out of street parking, greeting folks on our sidewalks with a smile and hello, and supporting initiatives that make our city a destination, create a business-friendly environment and sustain a vibrant community.

Posted in 642 Tiny Things to Write About, rural economic development, Rural Tourism | Comments Off on Right turn on LOCAL CITIZENS WHO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STREET