Community-First
Economic Development
Keynotes & Workshops

For too long, economic development has been focused solely on businesses and real estate. While these are critical components of community success, they are merely parts of a greater purpose: The economic health of the individuals in your community.

Community-First Economic Development is about people. The people of your community are why your government exists at all. Their economic well-being is the only justification for public spending on economic development.

Community-First
Economic Development
Keynotes & Workshops

Economic Development

For too long, economic development has been focused solely on businesses and real estate. While these are critical components of community success, they are merely parts of a greater purpose: The economic health of the individuals in your community.

Community-First Economic Development is about people. The people of your community are why your government exists at all. Their economic well-being is the only justification for public spending on economic development.

KEYNOTE & WORKSHOP TESTIMONIALS

Community-First Economic Development

Community-First Economic Development is about the individual economic health of the people in your community. If the people in your community are becoming wealthier over time, then economic development is succeeding. If they are becoming poorer over time, then economic development is failing. Individual wealth allows facility, safety, self-sufficiency, inclusion, education, voice, justice, and more. The number of jobs and dollars invested are important metrics, but they are subservient to individual economic health.

BLOG

Why “Shop Local” Campaigns Don’t Work (and what to do about it)

Communities all over the US regularly launch Shop Local campaigns. While these campaigns may generate a slight bump in local sales for a few weeks, the results are usually mediocre and temporary. This is not a criticism of the people running these campaigns. They are likely doing as good a job as anyone could. The problem is, instead, with the nature of a Shop Local campaign itself. Ditch your Shop Local Campaign based on guilt for a Discover Local campaign based on value, and see a permanent change in local consumer behavior.

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PODCAST

LaKesha Womack – Democratic Nominee for NC 14th Congressional District

LaKesha Womack discusses her grassroots campaign for North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District.

Robert Long – Director, Chester County Economic Development

Robert Long explains how economic development drives jobs, wages, and quality of life in Chester County.

Beth Black White – Co-Owner, Black’s Peaches

Beth Black White talks about family farming and agro-tourism.

NEWS