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Category Archives: Economic Development
What is Community Development? – Revised Publication
Back in January, I discussed definitions of community development under the banner What is Community Development? That post actually followed one on how Community Development Precedes Economic Development. If you still have questions about what Extension Community Development looks like, Greg Taylor, Craig Carpenter, Jamie Rae Walker, and I have updated the What is Community Development? Extension fact sheet, available at here, at https://communities.tamu.edu/selected-publications/, or at the AgriLife Bookstore. The publication primarily targets Extension faculty and presents how various aspects of community development overlap with other traditional areas… Read More →
Silver Buckshot in Targeting Economic Development
Several years ago, I saw a quote, “There is no silver bullet. There may be silver buckshot.” I have no idea where I saw this quote, but it’s really stuck with me. You might be more familiar with the saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Similar idea, but less colorful, right? I like the bullet/buckshot analogy because it fits so well with the idea of targeted economic development. In fact, a speaker at a conference in North Carolina remarked a few years ago that he… Read More →
What is Community Development?
Last week, I blogged, “Community development precedes economic development.” Thanks for the positive feedback on that idea. But that sentence raises another question for some of you: What is community development? There really isn’t an easy answer to that question. There are many definitions of community development (CD). The United Nationals has offered a succinct, practical definition. It lacks the nuance of other definitions but gets to the heart of the matter: A process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common… Read More →
Community Development Precedes Economic Development
Texas Extension has long believed community development precedes economic development. It is much easier to support economic growth and economic development if you have a community people want to live in. Rural hospital closures shine a light on the interplay of community and economic development. Frank local news stories about the reasons for and outcomes of hospital closures highlight the importance of community social and physical infrastructure in supporting local economies. My own research shows that the presence or lack of physicians is associated with a number of… Read More →
Results of Texas Rural Leaders and Economies Survey Released
The report documenting results of the Texas Rural Leaders and Economies Survey is now posted on the Rural Communities website. A few economic highlights are below. For more information view the complete report online. Future posts will discuss local institutions, keeping young people, and rural leadership. Leaders tended to view overall economic conditions and retail conditions similarly. Most respondents rated their economies and retail sectors as stable. Perceptions of decline across both city and county respondents were more evident in rural counties not adjacent to urban areas. … Read More →
The Shape of U.S. States According to Commuting Patterns
My colleague John Robinson sent me a link to What if the United States Were Shaped According to Economics? by Ross Pomeroy. It’s always fun to see our usual state borders distorted or color-coated, whether by GDP or status as a tourism destination. Alasdair Rae and Garrett Nelson used American Community Survey commuting flows to identify functional economic regions. Pretty cool. Texas is broken into six states. It is important to think about the fact that this map is based on commuting patterns and not, say, spending patterns…. Read More →
Farmer Hayek: Do cities make us more productive?
Levi Russell over at Farmer Hayek picks up the issue of agglomeration economies today, encouraging further thought on a Burgh Diaspora post on the same topic. Interesting discussion, and I’ve added my thoughts to the Farmer Hayek comments. Always thought-provoking over at Farmer Hayek, and always fun when they delve into regional economics and politics.
SET regional economic development program applications available
Communities across Texas are invited to take advantage of a regional economic development initiative offered by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Prairie View Cooperative Extension Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development. The Stronger Economics Together (SET) helps rural communities capitalize on the strengths of the region to create jobs, wealth and economic development. More information is available at http://communities.tamu.edu/stronger-economies-together-set/.
Rural Leaders Survey Open
Yesterday, I kicked off a new study of Rural Leaders and Economies. If that topic sounds interesting, you are welcome to participate here: http://tinyurl.com/qh3xo79 The purpose of this study is (1) to gauge rural leaders’ attitudes about local economies and potential new leaders and (2) to identify opportunities for communities to deepen citizen engagement and strengthen rural communities and economies. Results of the study will guide the development of Extension programming and publications to help communities identify and develop new rural leaders and to disseminate best practices in… Read More →
Cultivating Community Wealth: Success Stories
This post is part of an eight-week series on Cultivating Community Wealth. I was first introduced to the story of Tupelo, Mississippi, not long after I moved to Texas. The Texas Rural Innovators had invited Vaughn Grisham to tell the story, and I promise you Vaughn is a good story teller. (His brother is famous author John Grisham.) His book, co-written with Rob Gurwitt, is available for free download or hardcopy purchase from The Aspen Institute. Earlier this month, I was able to visit Tupelo while I was… Read More →