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Stronger Economies Together

Purpose of SET

Stronger Economies Together (SET) enables communities and counties in rural America to work together in developing and implementing an economic development blueprint for their multi-county region that strategically builds on the current and emerging economic strengths of that region. 

Creating, attracting and retaining jobs as a single rural county in isolation from other nearby counties is becoming increasingly ineffective. In today’s global marketplace, economic development progress is more likely to be realized when rural and metro counties work together as a region to assess their resources and then design and implement plans that build on their assets and comparative economic strengths. 

Benefits of SET 

  • Step-by-step coaching to guide the design and implementation of a practical and viable regional economic development plan.
  • In-depth data tailored to the region, describing its current and emerging clusters, comparative economic advantages, and detailed demographic and socio-economic information.
  • Tools to uncover local assets and resources that can advance the region’s economic strategies Technical assistance from Extension educators, USDA RD state staff, the Regional Rural Development Centers, and the Purdue Center for Regional Development to guide the initial stages of implementation of regional goals and strategies.

Planning Process: 6–7 months

Launching SET through Civic Engagement 

(Time: 4 hours) 

  • Explore in-depth demographic and workforce features of the region 
  • Identify oppertunities to guide the regional efforts 
  • Products: List of opportunities to explore; substantial region-wide engagement in the planning and implementing process 

Examining Economic Data for the Region 

(Time: 4 hours) 

  • Define the evidence base for working together as a region 
  • Identify economic clusters to explore further 
  • Exploring regional economic data 
  • Products: Draft evidence description for how the economic data led to industry cluster identification 

Exploring the Region’s Unique Economic Opportunities 

(Time: 4 hours) 

  • Examine in-depth industry analysis 
  • Identify appropriate strategies to build on regional strengths 
  • Products: Selection of 3-5 key opportunities to pursue 

Identifying the Region’s Assets and Challenges 

(Time: 4 hours) 

  • Examine the region’s key assets and challenges related to the opportunities identified 
  • Products: Review of available assets for action; potential new connections among assets to strengthen relevant work 

Developing Goals, Actions, and Measures Based on Consideration of Region’s Unique Advantages 

(Time: 5 hours) 

  • Identify appropriate goals, strategies and action to strengthen the region’s advantages 
  • Products: Draft initial goals, strategies and work plan. 

Tailored Modules 

(Time: varies by module) 

  • Tourism 
  • Food Systems 
  • Entrepreneurship 
  • Land Use Planning 
  • Networking 
  • Targeted Attraction Strategies

Implementation: 6–7 months

  • Develop a model for action and accountability 
  • Design leadership structure appropriate for regional plan implementation 
  • Identify technical assistance needs for success 
  • Secure resources needed for success

    Contact

    Martha Walker
    Area Specialist, Community Viability
    Virginia Cooperative Extension
    434-766-6761
    walker53@vt.edu

    Suzette M. Agans 
    USDA Rural Development 
    Community & Economic Development 
    202-401-1922 
    suzette.agans@wdc.usda.gov

    Rachel Welborn 
    Southern Rural Development Center 
    Mississippi State University 
    662-325-5885 
    rachel.welborn@msstate.edu

    Bo Beaulieu 
    Purdue Center for Regional Development Purdue University 
    765-494-7273 
    ljb@purdue.edu