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Doing Better Together
Stronger Economies TogetherSession 1: Handouts
Stronger Economies Together (SET) enables communities and counties in rural America to work together indeveloping and implementing an economic development blueprint for their multi-county region that strategicallybuilds on the current and emerging economic strengths of that region.
PURPOSE OF SET
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
Creating, attracting andretaining jobs as a single ruralcounty in isolation from othernearby counties is becomingincreasingly ineffective. Intoday’s global marketplace,economic developmentprogress is more likely to berealized when rural and metrocounties work together as aregion to assess their resourcesand then design and implementplans that build on their assetsand comparative economicstrengths.
Launched in 2010 by USDA Rural Development and the nation’s four Regional Rural Development Centers and their land-grant university partners, this exciting initiative is now in place in more than 80 regions in 32 states.
SET PHASE I-V
PHASE VI
Hiwot Gebremariam USDA Rural Development Community & Economic Development [email protected]
Rachel WelbornSouthern Rural Development CenterMississippi State University 662.325.5885 [email protected]
Bo Beaulieu Purdue Center for Regional Development Purdue [email protected]
CONTACTS
• 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
PLANNING PROCESS: 6 TO 7 MONTHS
IMPLEMENTATION: 6 TO 7 MONTHS
• Regional Industry Clusters• Employment and Occupation
Civic Forum (Time: 4 hours) • Examining the Region’s Positive Features• Exploring the Region’s Challenges• Considering Key Data on Your Region• Identifying the Region’s Opportunities
SET Overview and Exploration of Regional Data (Time: 4 hours) • Lay the Foundation for SET Work Together• Review the Regional SET Forum• Explore the Regional Economic Data:
Evidence-Based Planning (Time: 4 hours) • People You Invited and/or Interviewed• Exploring Regional Clusters in Depth• Identifying Priorities
Connecting Capitals (Time: 4 hours) • Community Capitals Framework• Your Team’s Assets• Regional Opportunities: What Assets Are
Available?• Recognizing Potential Barriers• Building Regional Goals: A Start
Finalizing the Plan(Time: 5 hours) • Finalizing SMART Goals• Designing Strategies and Actions to Meet Goals• Identifying Appropriate Measures• Deliverable: Crafting Strategies, Actions, and
Measures to Support the Regional Plan
Tailored Sessions (Time: varies by module) • Communication • Entrepreneurship• Grant Writing Basics• Leadership and Sustainability• Local and Regional Food Systems• Sustaining Existing Businesses• Tourism
Producing a High Quality Regional Economic Development Plan
The Essential Components
Asset & Challenges: The plan is based upon a strong understanding of the region’s current and/or emerging assets and challenges, as well as the demographic and economic features of the region.
Comparative Advantage: The plan’s major strategies are intended to build on the region’s comparative economic advantages, especially its key current and/or emerging economic clusters.
Focused: The plan focuses upon a small number of goals. The collective set of goals appears to be well suited to the regional team's capacity (in terms of available resources, including but not limited to person-power, regional assets, and funds). (A good rule of thumb is a maximum of �ve goals for a group with substantial resources available for plan implementation.)
Logical: The plan is logical. Speci�cally, the plan’s major strategies, taken together, are designed to achieve clearly stated regional goals.
Targets: The plan speci�es measurable targets that must be met along the road to goal achievement.
Time Periods: The plan includes short-term (typically less than 1 year), medium-term (2-4 years), and long-term (5 years or longer) goals, which build together toward lasting economic improvements.
Initial Tasks: The plan speci�es clear tasks to be completed and delineates the person(s) or groups responsible for completing these actions, at least for the short-term timeframe of the plan (the �rst 6-12 months). The Plan of Work template that your team completes as part of Module Eight can help you develop this component.
Responsibility: The plan speci�es clearly which person or entity (such as a committee or a speci�c regional body) is responsible for assuring that the implementation of the plan continues beyond the initial 6-12-months short-term time period.
I. Evidence-based
II. Practical
Handout 2 | Session 1
Economic Development Focus: The plan is clearly focused on improving the economy. The plan makes clear how each of its strategies is intended to help produce, either directly or indirectly, improvements in the regional economy. The plan should not focus strictly on quality-of-life strategies. Rather, it must embrace strategies that are speci�cally designed to bring about direct improvements in the regional economy.
Regional Development Focus: The plan is clearly focused on regional economic bene�ts (as opposed to bene�ts for a speci�c town or county). However, the region might, for example, propose a strategy to upgrade �ve smaller historic Main Streets (perhaps one in each of a region’s �ve counties) under a plan goal on enhancing a tourism cluster in the region. In this case, the strategy would clearly be regional in scope.
Broad Participation: The plan is designed with input from actively engaged individuals (devoting 20 hours or more to SET planning) from a broad range of organizations and backgrounds. Substantial diversity of participation can be demonstrated across geography (participation from all the region’s counties), across a broad array of sectors (such as business, education, government, economic development, non-pro�ts), and across major demographic groups.
Public Input: Input on the plan is collected from the general public, including a range of other people and institutions not directly engaged in SET planning. Such input, collected through SET-sponsored meetings, focus/roundtable group meetings, on-line idea collection, or other appropriate venues, is used to revise and �ne tune the plan based upon the feedback received from the general public.
Buy-In: The plan has buy-in from key decision-makers in the region, as demonstrated by (1) their direct participation in the planning process, (2) the involvement on the SET team of designated representatives with the authority or approval to act on behalf of the decision-makers, or (3) a clearly expressed commitment by the decision-makers to support the regional plan and its implementation strategies.
Persuasive: The plan is written and presented in a format that conveys information to interested citizens in a straightforward, non-technical manner. The plan helps persuade interested citizens who have not been actively engaged in the development of the plan of the value of pursuing a regional approach to economic development.
IV. Focused on Regional Economic Development
III. Broadly Supported
Consistent & Connected: The plan is consistent with the region’s overarching goals, strategies, and action steps are consistent with each other, and will help the region take positive steps toward the achieve-ment of its regional outcomes. Logical ties can be seen that connect the actions to the strategies, and strategies to the goals, creating a well-connected package.
V. Aligned with Regional Goals
Handout 2 | Session 1
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Purdue Center for Regional Development Stronger Economies Together
Frequently Asked Questions & Data Sources
1) What types of jobs are included in the SET data counts? Is it just full time employees or are part-time or seasonal employees accounted for somewhere?
The jobs estimated by EMSI (Economic Modeling Specialists International) and given in the SET
data include four classes of workers. These include the following:
QCEW (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages): The data available from BLS
(Bureau of Labor Statistics) is usually suppressed for rural counties. The QCEW data is
unsuppressed by EMSI.
Non-QCEW: Industry sectors not covered by BLS and the unemployment insurance
program, such as the railroad workers.
Self-Employed: Self-employment estimations prepared by EMSI using ACS (American
Community Survey), Non-Employer Statistics, etc.
Extended Proprietors: These estimates include underreported self-employment,
proprietorships, trusts, partnerships and cooperatives. EMSI uses LAPI (Local Area
Personal Income) from BEA (Bureau of Economic Analysis) and ACS to develop extended
proprietor estimates.
EMSI uses BLS, BEA, ACS 5-Year, CBP (County Business Patterns), Non-Employer statistics from
Census and several other sources to estimate the total number of jobs. It applies its own un-
suppression algorithms to fill-in the suppressed numbers, especially for rural counties. The jobs
are given as annual estimates of full-time and part-time job counts. It does not show full-time-
equivalent (FTE) jobs. One full-time and another part-time job are shown as two jobs. Similarly,
an individual holding two part-time jobs would be counted as two jobs in the EMSI database. It
should be noted that EMSI jobs given in the SET data reports are annualized counts and based
on “place of work.”
The EMSI jobs data provided in the SET data snapshot, in general, should exceed the jobs data
available from public sources, such as the BLS and BEA. The reasons include Non-QCEW
industry sectors, Self-Employed and Extended Proprietors.
EMSI updates its data quarterly. However, only a few underlying datasets from the BLS are
available on a quarterly basis. The majority of other federal statistics are published annually.
Even though some of the underlying data sources in EMSI are updated quarterly, the SET data
are annualized jobs data and should not be used for seasonal employment. For SET regions with
higher levels of seasonal employment, QCEW from BLS and QWI (Quarterly Workforce
Indicators) from the U.S. Census Bureau can be useful resources. For a rural region, it is likely
that the publicly available data would be suppressed especially for more granular industry
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sectors, such as NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) 6-digit codes. In such
cases, we advise SET regions to obtain seasonal jobs estimates from the local sources.
2) Why do the public data show Government as a major employer in my region, whereas, Government is not mentioned within the top 10 industry sectors in the SET data? The publicly available data on industry sectors might show government as a major employer in the region. However, in most cases those are because of public education, public health and jobs in other kinds of public sector, such as community services. Most of the regions with a major public university or a college would show a large employment in government in the BEA or BLS data. Similarly, in all the regions, public school district jobs are included in the government sector. Some regions might have state or local government run hospitals. For example, there are 1,010 state and local government community hospitals in the USA as per American Hospitals Association annual survey of 2013. The local information on jobs in public universities, colleges and school districts and/or public health should be deducted from the government total jobs to estimate the number of employees in various government departments. Rural regions are unlikely to have a large number of government employees unless the regions have state or national parks, federal lands, federal laboratories, Department of Defense (DoD) facilities, etc.
3) What are a few characteristics of the PCRD (Purdue Center for Regional Development) industry clusters used in the SET data? The PCRD Industry cluster database was developed during 2005-2007 with a grant support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration Program. The cluster definitions were derived based on extensive literature review, the study of cluster templates available from Harvard University (Prof. Michael Porter’s work) and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (Prof. Ed Feser’s work), and also a benchmark cluster definition derived by using the U.S. input output table (transactions matrix) from the BEA. In a few cases, such as forest and wood products cluster, surveys were conducted via a graduate student’s Ph.D. thesis from the Forestry and Natural Resources Department at Purdue University. From the outset, the clusters were defined keeping in mind urban as well as rural regions in the USA. Another distinction was that a county was chosen as the smallest spatial unit with the objective that regions are comprised of a group of adjacent counties. The cluster definitions are based on the NAICS 6-digit industry sectors, the most granular industry classification available. The earliest definitions were based on the NAICS 2002 version, which were updated to NAICS 2007 and 2012 versions respectively. The SET industry cluster data is based on the NAICS 2012 version. Over the course of a decade, we saw several changes in the NAICS definitions such as merger and splitting of various industry sectors. Our earliest effort was to derive cluster job numbers by using publicly available data;
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however, we found extensive suppression of the data for rural counties, in particular for granular industry sectors. PCRD partnered with EMSI to make use of unsuppressed jobs and wages data for industry clusters. It is to be noted that our industry cluster definitions are not mutually exclusive and an industry sector might appear in the definition of more than one cluster. Similarly, the clusters have broader definitions. For example, the defense and security cluster contains sectors from the defense industries, as well as private and civic security-related businesses. Similarly, health-related sectors and hospitals, are included in the biomedical and biotechnical cluster. The manufacturing supercluster was such a large definition by itself that we subdivided it into six sub-clusters. These sub-clusters are mutually exclusive and an industry sector appears in only one of the six sub-clusters. It is to be noted that cluster definitions are based on export oriented sectors, and the majority of businesses that serve the local economy, such as retail sectors, are excluded from the definitions. The original cluster definition based on NAICS 2002 is available at http://statsamerica.org/innovation/reports/detailed_cluster_definitions.pdf.
4) What are cluster leakages? What does the leakage chart show?
The industry cluster leakage chart is developed by using the “industry supply chain” data available through EMSI’s input output estimates for the region. The data focuses on the upstream or backward linkages (purchasing) of the industry sectors contained within the industry cluster definition. Further EMSI develops estimates for the regional purchase coefficients, which shows the proportion of the local demand fulfilled within the region. Hence, the chart shows the total input or regional intermediate demand created by the cluster and the proportions fulfilled within the region versus outside of the region. It is to be noted that these are not MRIO (Multi Regional Input Output) tables, hence we cannot ascertain if the demand was met within the state, other states in the USA or imported from other countries. Please note that an industry sector can simultaneously import and export the same good or service, which is known as cross hauling. Since industry cluster is a group of sectors, cross hauling can exist in specific industry sectors. In case of clusters with higher proportion of demand satisfied from outside of the region, we need to determine if the constituent industry sectors exist or do not exist in the region. According to Deller (2011)1, if the sectors exist in the region and have the capacity to meet the demand, it is known as “gap” otherwise it is known as the “disconnect.” The leakage chart can be helpful in discussing gaps and disconnects and if there are ways to close some of the imports or dollars leaking out of the regional economy.
5) Where are high skilled jobs included? For example, would a geologist be included in mining or in scientific/technical profession or in both? Skills are associated with occupations and not the industry sectors. A geologist is an occupation and might work both in the mining and scientific and professional services industries. This depends on industry staffing patterns or industry to occupation matrices that are unique for 1 Deller, Steven. 2012. Targeting Industrial Gaps and Disconnects for Community Economic Development. Choices 27(2).
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each of the regions. EMSI estimates industry to occupation matrix at the most granular levels of industries (NAICS 6-digit) and occupations (SOC or Standard Occupation Classification 5-digit) for each of the 3,140 counties in the nation. The SET regions are comprised of counties and hence have regional industry to occupation matrix or staffing patterns. It is to be noted that at the most granular level, a regional economy can have as many as several thousands of sectors, but for occupations, we only have as many as 850 plus occupations.
6) What is the NETS (National Establishments Time Series) database? Why are the job numbers different than the EMSI estimates? The NETS is an establishment level database and a compilation of the historical D&B (Dun and Bradstreet) records. The data is verified through millions of phone calls every year and primarily it is comprised of NAICS codes, FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) or unique county codes, and jobs through the years. Since it is an establishment level data, a business can have multiple establishments in the same county, which is captured by the NETS. Similarly, we have seen a variety of farming establishments, such as green houses, orchards, etc., in the NETS database. We use the temporal data available for FIPS or unique county codes and year-by-year jobs to develop the establishment churn estimating the births, deaths, in-migration and out-migration from the NETS database. We also use the NETS data to estimate sales, establishments and jobs numbers for different stages ranging from Stage 1 to Stage 4 companies. The universe and methodology for NETS and EMSI are entirely different. NETS is mostly self and voluntary reporting of data by companies, whereas EMSI includes publicly available data, un-suppression algorithms and statistical estimates. As of 2016, we have switched over to YourEconomy.org, a data website based on NETS to estimate the establishments, jobs, and sales. The underlying data remains the NETS and YourEconomy.org has the latest data. This change was necessary as PCRD’s agreement to obtain raw data from NETS through Edward Lowe and Kauffman Foundation has ended. YourEconomy.org provides only the summarized data for NETS.
7) How is the data gathered? Who submits the data? (i.e. businesses? Individuals? Government agency?) Why is this time frame chosen (for any chart/table)? What is the source of the data? Please refer to the enclosed PowerPoint about data sources used and website addresses for the regional data snapshot and the cluster reports. Most of the data are publicly available federal data sources from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and selected data programs run by these agencies. There are two data sources that are proprietary: EMSI and NETS/Youreconomy.org. EMSI un-suppress the publicly available jobs data for rural counties at the most granular level of industry sectors. It also develops estimates for self-employed and proprietors that are included in the total jobs. The objective is to provide an idea about the total number of jobs available at the regional level except seasonal jobs. EMSI collects data from roughly 80 different federal agencies and provides jobs estimates by industries as well as
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occupations. The majority of the long-term data starts from 2003, which is the post-recession period after the dot com bust of 2001-2002. Similarly, the majority of the near-term data starts from 2009, which is the post-recession period after the housing bubble. Most of the economy related data from EMSI (clusters, industries, and occupations) are from 2009-2014. We have used 2014 as the end-year because BEA and QCEW, BLS have published finalized job numbers for 2014, which are the underlying data sources for EMSI. Once 2015 is published, we will switch over to 2015 as the end-year. The industry cluster leakage data from EMSI is only available for 2012 and 2013 as those are based on input-output (IO) tables.
8) How are clusters identified? What do they include? Please refer to FAQ number 3 on details about PCRD’s industry clusters. The industry clusters are defined based on industry sectors. In our case, we used NAICS 6-digit industry sector codes to develop the cluster definition. Usually, clusters are defined based on NAICS 3-digit and 4-digit codes, however, in our research we found significant heterogeneity with a NAICS 3-digit or 4-digit code. The clusters are defined at the most granular level.
9) Which data are actual reported numbers vs. algorithm or some other type of estimation? How are estimations determined? On what are they based? The employment numbers of industries, occupations, and industry clusters are estimates. As explained in FAQ number 1, the jobs are comprised of four parts. QCEW, the first part is obtained from the BLS. Algorithms are used to un-suppress jobs by industry sectors in those counties where the public data has been suppressed to comply with the federal disclosure regulations. Please note that un-suppression algorithms have been discovered and published in academia. Although EMSI has its own proprietary algorithm, we do know that control totals (total jobs at NAICS 2-digit level, county level, state level) are used to ensure that estimated jobs are not off the mark. Following reference can be used to understand the un-suppressing processes: Isserman, A. M. and J. Westervelt. 2006. 1.5 Million Missing Numbers: Overcoming Employment Suppression in County Business Patterns Data. International Regional Science Review, 29, 3: 311-335. The 2nd part includes jobs in the non-QCEW activities that are not counted under the QCEW program by the BLS. This includes railroad workers and armed forces. QCEW also does not count self-employed and proprietors. The details of QCEW coverage are included at (http://www.bls.gov/cew/cewover.htm). The 3rd and 4th parts include estimation for self-employed and proprietors that are explained in detail in FAQ number 1.
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10) Are there alternate ways to depict Arts/Entertainment (tourism) cluster that includes the retail sector? Arts, Entertainment, Recreation and Visitor Industry cluster broadly defines various aspects of tourism including sporting, gaming, historical, amenities, and natural aspects. The U.S. EDA funded industry cluster research was tasked to develop a set of definitions that are applicable nationally and at the county level. Tourism cluster definitions can be specific to the location dependent on unique endowments. Whereas pilgrimage-based tourism or popular gaming locations can attract visitors year long, in many places tourism is seasonal. The challenge with seasonal tourism is that data can only be gleaned at the local level. Similarly, if we want to include retail, we may need to estimate the proportion of retail dependent on or serving the tourism industry. A portion of retail would be serving the local populations. It will be better to define the tourism cluster by specific location with input from the local residents and businesses.
11) Clarify when/where K-12 and public college appears in the data, if at all. What is included in the “Education” cluster? K-12 and public colleges are actually part of the government sectors. Earlier even EMSI could not differentiate the job numbers for public colleges, public hospitals from other kinds of government jobs. It is only recently that government sector has been classified in much more detail at the NAICS 6-digit level so that we can know local and state level public education and public health jobs. The “Education” cluster definition do not include jobs for K-12 and college. Currently, the cluster definition only includes private education and training related industries. The primary reason was lack of granular data. We use to advise the regions that public education and public health job numbers could be available locally and can be added to the private sector job numbers. K-12 education does not bring outside money to the region but higher public education does, which can be added to the cluster definition if the SET committee agrees.
12) Please explain why retail is excluded.
PCRD cluster definitions were based on industry sectors that were export oriented and bring outside money to the region. Retail usually serves the local population and some part of large retail (big boxes) do attract outside residents. It was difficult for us to determine in general what part of retail was export oriented and hence retail cluster definition was not developed. Prof. Michael Porter, Harvard Univ., has developed a definition for retail industries which they term as the local (non-basic) cluster. The non-basic or those industries that generally serve the local population. PCRD cluster definitions were focused on basic or export-oriented industry sectors.
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Data Sources
The following is information about the sources of data used by the PCRD to prepare the
regional data snapshot and cluster reports.
Census Bureau:
Socio-demographic variables are mainly obtained from the Census Bureau through
American Fact Finder.
(http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/searchresults.xhtml?refresh=t) Here
are the list of data tables utilized in this report.
Total Population: P001 (2000), P1 (2010), and PEPANNRES (2014);
Race/Ethnicity: QPT6 (2000) and PEPSR6H(2014);
Population Pyramid: QTP1 (2000) and PEPAGESEX (2014);
Educational Attainment: S1501 (2014)
General Patent Statistics Reports:
The Patent Technology Monitoring Team periodically issues general statistics reports
that profile patenting activity at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
(http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/ido/oeip/taf/reports.htm#by_geog)
EMSI (Economic Modeling Specialists Intl.): Some regional economic variables are estimated by EMSI. We apply the latest version of data selecting QCEW, non-QCEW, self-employed and extended proprietors in class of workers (http://www.economicmodeling.com/).
LAUS (Local Area Unemployment Statistics):
LAUS is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) program that provides monthly and
annual labor force, employment and unemployment data by place of residence at
various geographic levels. LAUS utilizes statistical models to estimate data values based
on household surveys and employer reports. These estimates are updated annually and
used for the SET data reports. Annual county-level LAUS estimates do not include
seasonal adjustments. (http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/dsrv?la)
NETS (National Establishment Time Series):
NETS is an establishment-level database, not a company-level database. This means that
each entry is a different physical location, and company-level information must be
created by adding the separate establishment components. Please refer to the enclosed
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for details.
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Youreconomy.org:
The youreconomy.org is an online information tool available from the Edward Lowe
Foundation that provides the NETS database. Please refer to the enclosed Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ) for details. Please note that Youreconomy.org would be shifting
to Infogroup Business Data from May 1st, 2016. The universe covered by Infogroup data
is different than the NETS, which is based on the Dun & Bradstreet historical records.
SAIPE (Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates):
SAIPE is a U.S. Census Bureau program that provides annual data estimates of income
and poverty statistics at various geographic levels. The estimates are used in the
administration of federal and state assistance programs. SAIPE utilizes statistical models
to estimate data from sample surveys, census enumerations, and administrative
records. (https://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe/data/interactive/saipe.html)
LEHD (Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics):
LEHD is a partnership between U.S. Census Bureau and State Department of Workforce
Development (DWD) to provide labor market and journey to work data at various
geographic levels. LEHD uses Unemployment Insurance Program and Quarterly Census
of Employment and Wages (QCEW) data from DWDs and census administrative records
related to individuals and businesses. (http://lehd.ces.census.gov/).
OTM (On the Map):
OTM, a product of the LEHD program, is used in the regional data snapshot report to
develop commuting patterns for a geography from two perspectives: place of residence
and place of work. At the highly detailed level of census blocks, some of the data are
developed synthetically to maintain confidentiality of the worker. However, for larger
regions mapped at the county level, the commuteshed and laborshed data are fairly
reasonable.
OTM includes jobs for a worker employed in the reference as well as previous quarter.
Hence, job counts are based on two consecutive quarters (six months) measured at the
“beginning of a quarter.” OTM data can differ from commuting patterns developed from
state annual income tax returns, which asks a question about “county of residence” and
“county of work” on January 1st of the tax-year. OTM can also differ from the American
Community Survey data, which is based on a sample survey of the resident population.
(http://onthemap.ces.census.gov/)
Session 1: Best Practices and Cool Ideas
Overarching Ideas:
Stay in touch in between sessions
At the beginning of each session, explain what will be covered and how it relates to the overall planning process
Set dates and communicate these well in advance. Some regions set dates for all the sessions at the very start and even include a few catch up dates or bad weather dates
Have a facilitator who is 100% fluent on the data
Integrate the involvement of core team and the writing team early Participants:
Involve business representatives from the targeted industries to find out their needs. This is especially important in Session 2 once the industries have been selected in Session 1.
Emphasize the importance to all members attending all sessions or send a representative.
Ensure that each county in the region is well represented.
Inviting all local elected/board leaders for inclusion in the discussion. Involve key decision makers.
Involve young people - invitation for juniors and seniors in high school, college students Managing the Time:
Review the civic forum efficiently, but do not rehash. Consider having a written summary to share. This can also serve as a segment of the final plan.
Introducing the High Quality Plan components is important, but should not take an extensive amount of time.
If your team is large, consider using a quick method for introductions. One approach is to ask people to state just their names, organization, then give people a quick question asking for a one word response. Such as: What one word describes what you hope will come from the SET process? Model the behavior to show how quickly you want it to go.
Provide clear directions of tasks/objectives then stay on task. Keep activities on time. Allow adequate time for discussions, but keep them focused. Walk around and listen to discussions so you know if people are sidetracked and/or finished and ready to move on.
If you are having a meal, consider having some of the presentation going while people eat to preserve time.
Process:
Send information ahead of time for people to preview.
Provide full size color handouts for everyone. Number handouts and refer to these to help participants find them. Organize handouts to match sequence of presentation. Make sure handouts and PowerPoints match (include all the same charts)
Ensure that the decision process is inclusive and balanced (3):
o Ensure that voices from larger counties are balanced with smaller ones o Have all the tables vote or even individuals vote on the major categories to be
requested o Debrief decision points asking if this seems to reflect the region’s views.
Effective use of Scavenger Hunt - Some possible ideas:
o Set parameters – such as only include businesses with (some number) minimum
employment. (Some regions were trying to list every “mom and pop”
establishment on Main Street.)
o Brainstorm a list first, then divide the list among small groups to fill in the blanks.
o Link this activity better at the end by taking one of the real businesses identified
and talking about what industry cluster(s) it supports and what kinds of materials
it may purchase inside the region and what might be purchased outside the
region (preview of clusters and leakages).
Data:
Be well prepared as a coaching team. Consider one or both of these approaches on strong teams:
o Hold a practice session with just the coaching team to ensure that you all have at least a strong working knowledge of the data and the resulting activities so you can all support the lead data presenter and assist with small group work.
o Preview the data with the core team so you can surface questions regarding the picture the data presents compared to local knowledge. Do this in advance of the sessions so that the lead data coach has time to send questions to Purdue and/or research themselves. This also allows time for the regions to gather existing data that may help inform the process.
Be familiar with the data guide that describes definitions of terms and data sources.
Have at least one copy of the breakdown of the various industry clusters to help guide questions of what is included. Note: It is a somewhat large document, but worth having on hand. Consider printing out additional copies of the list for the top 3-5 clusters to help groups see how these are defined.
Keep the data in perspective. Help the region stay focused on trends, signs, magnitudes, changers over time, etc. rather than hand wringing over whether the data is precise.
Other great resources
Free software (Economic Profile System) provided online by Headwaters Economics. Can create county profiles. http://headwaterseconomics.org/
Preparing for Session 2 Dear SET members
Thank you for investing yourself in the regional data discussions! Sometimes the numbers and summaries will cause us to wonder what the truth is! But, with intelligent and resourceful people persistently seeking to verify the region’s reality, we will identify a baseline that accurately represents our community. Over the next several weeks, you will search for answers to the questions generated on each of the focus clusters. To guide this process, a member of your SET Leadership Team will meet with each subgroup either in person or by conference call. As a member of a Cluster Group, you will
Select
a group manager who will coach the group to stay on task, contact group members, and ensure the group is gathering the needed materials
a recorder who will capture the notes from each group discussion and share with the other members
a spokesperson who will deliver the findings of the group to the other SET members during Session 2.
Review and discuss the list of questions and resources generated during Session 1 for your cluster. Make revisions to the list based this group discussion.
Assign group members a task to gather the responses/information related to a specific question.
o You may need to read and summarize a report, conduct an interview with a person knowledge on the topic, or search a database to gather the needed information.
Present your findings during Session 2 which is scheduled for
Resources to Support Your Work
SET Regional Data PowerPoint (website location)
SET Regional Leadership Team (website location)
Cluster Definitions
Cluster Topic:
Cluster Question Resources Group Members
Cluster Topic:
Cluster Question Resources Group Members
Cluster Topic:
Cluster Question Resources Group Members
2015 Civic Forum: Eastern Shore – October 27, 2015 1
2015 Civic Engagement Forum
Eastern Shore Summary Compiled By Curtis Smith, Director of Planning, Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Overview of the Eastern Shore Stronger Economies Together Project
The Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission (A-NPDC) was chosen as one of three Virginia planning districts to participate in Stronger Economies Together (SET). The A-NPDC consists of three member jurisdictions: Accomack and Northampton Counties and the Town of Chincoteague. As of the most recent Census, the region is home to 45,583 people. As a leadership and planning initiative, the Stronger Economies Together (SET) project will bring leaders from each of these localities together to develop and implement the region’s economic development blueprint. Eastern Shore SET meetings began in the fall of 2015 and will extend through spring 2016, with implementation of the SET economic development plan extending through 2016. To guide the Eastern Shore SET process through implementation, a regional leadership team has been produced.
Regional Stronger Economies Together Leadership Team Members: Kerry Allison – Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission
Patrick Coady – Northampton County Joint Industrial Development Authority
Kevin Dennis – Perdue
Jean Hungiville – Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce
Theresa Long – Virginia Cooperative Extension
Elaine Meil— Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission
Thomas Nolan – Spinning Wheel Bed and Breakfast
Katie Nunez—Northampton County
Robert Ritter—Town of Chincoteague
Christina Ruszczyk-Murray – Virginia Cooperative Extension
Evelyn Shotwell – Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce
Curtis Smith—Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission
Linda Glover – Eastern Shore Community College
Kristen Tremblay — Accomack County
Dawn White – Dawn: A Unique Shop for Women and Home
2015 Civic Forum: Eastern Shore – October 27, 2015 2
Civic Forum Attendees
Stronger Economies Together Regional Team: Dr. Martha Walker, Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE)
Dr. Jim Pease, Virginia Tech
Doug Jackson, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Janice Stroud-Bickes: USDA Rural Development
David Foster, USDA Rural Development
Craig Barbrow, USDA Rural Development
Regional Representation: In addition to representatives from Department of Housing and Community Development, USDA-Rural Development, and Virginia Tech/Virginia Cooperative Extension, 52 individuals from throughout the region attended the Stronger Economies Together (SET) Civic Forum held on October 27 at the Eastern Shore Community College Workforce Development Building in Melfa.
Accomack County: Wesley Edwards (Economic Development Authority), Steve Miner (Staff), Rich Morrison (Staff)
Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission: Melissa Matthews (Staff), Elaine Meil (Staff), Curtis Smith (Staff)
Bayview Citizens for Social Justice: Alice Coles
Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce: Evelyn Shotwell
Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore: Donna Bozza
Concerned Citizens for Improvements: George Ayres, Bedford Rogers
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority: Karen Downing
Eastern Shore Area Agency on Aging/Community Action Agency: Roy Lock
Eastern Shore Community College: Joseph Betit, Linda Glover, Amy Shockley
Eastern Shore Soil & Water Conservation District: Carmie Savage
Eastern Shore of Virginia Birding Festival: Roberta Kellam
Eastern Shore of Virginia Housing Alliance: Michael Selby
Eastern Shore of Virginia Tourism Commission: Kerry Allison
Eastern Virginia Medical School/Eastern Shore Healthy Communities: Patti Kiger
Island House Restaurant & Marina: Blake Johnson
Merrill Lynch: Robie Marsh
Northampton County: Patrick Coady (Joint Industrial Development Authority), Granville Hogg (Supervisor), Rick Hubbard (Supervisor), Larry LeMond (Supervisor), Bill Parr (Joint Industrial Development Authority)
Northampton County Chamber of Commerce: Elizabeth Dodd
Peacewerks Center for Well-Being: Gerald Boyd, Polly Boyd
Ten Good Sheep: Karyn Belknap
Town of Cape Charles: Brent Manuel, George Proto
Town of Onley: John Pavlik
Town of Parksley: Jim Eichelberger, Art Fisher
US Department of Agriculture: Jane Corson-Lassiter (NRCS), Peggy Jordan (Rural Development), H.L. Kellam (FSA), Danielle Logan (Rural Development), Kasey Martin (Rural Development), Jenny Templeton (NRCS)
US Sustainable Development Corporation/VA Eastern Shore Economic Empowerment & Housing Corp.: Ava Gabrielle Wise
VA Cooperative Extension: Ursula Deitch, Ellen Pudney, Theresa Long, Christina Ruszczyk-Murray
VA Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Butch Nottingham
VA General Assembly: Rob Bloxom (Delegate, 100th House District)
VA Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research & Extension Center: Mark Reiter
Wallops Research Park: Julie Wheatley
2015 Civic Forum: Eastern Shore – October 27, 2015 3
Outline of the Civic Forum
Dr. Martha Walker and Doug Jackson facilitated the Stronger Economies Together (SET) Civic Forum. Attendees were split into groups of 4-8 individuals and these groups were asked to come up with a list of the strengths and challenges faced in the region. Throughout the day, the groups were rearranged to allow individuals to meet and work with others and to challenge attendees to come up with more innovative ideas.
Dr. Walker noted that our end goal from this process is to create a high quality plan (HQP) that is focused, realistic, and attainable. The HQP will be evidence-based and will help us guide our region toward sustainable future growth, allowing us to tap into the resources and assets of our region and strengthen and start to correct the areas that are weaknesses.
2015 Civic Forum: Eastern Shore – October 27, 2015 4
Strengths
Attendees were asked to describe the Eastern Shore’s core strengths. Identified strengths in the region were focused on our cultural and natural resources and discussion centered on the ways that we can leverage those for our economic benefit. Input provided by participants is summarized as follows:
Our Abundant Access to Coastal Waters Provides livelihood
opportunities and hobbies which define us
Island-like isolation
Our Agriculture Prime farmland, good soils, long
growing season, access to water Crop diversity Strong promotion of agriculture
Our Aquaculture
Our Location/Geography Centrally-located in Mid-
Atlantic Close proximity to many major
cities
Our Sense of Community Traditional ways of life History Partnerships Social interactions Values One Big Small Town Access to high-tech markets STEM opportunities
Our People (Human Capital) Local Shore culture Retirement Community with
broad background of interest and experiences
People-friendly
Our Nature/Tourism Rural/natural beauty/blank
canvas to build upon Quiet way of life undeveloped
Nature preserves Seafood Birds and wildlife Hunting and fishing Historic and natural resources Ecotourism
Our History/Heritage Culture Assets Traditional way of life Pride of heritage/history A blank canvas for growth, yet a
deep desire to maintain traditions/history
Industrial Infrastructure Airport Two Industrial Parks Central Water and Wastewater
Systems
Data Observation: Strengths After reviewing the data presented by the SET Regional Team, participants generated the following additional observed strengths as illustrated in the data.
Diversity
Growth in retirement age This presents new opportunities for work
due to aging/retiring population Retirees could volunteer, tutor, mentor,
and provide new expertise within region Retirees relocating to Shore bring unique
knowledge, skills & experience
Growth in small business (Stage 0-1)
Growth in education Higher graduation rates
Low-cost labor force
Significant growth of Stage 0-1 aquaculture businesses
2015 Civic Forum: Eastern Shore – October 27, 2015 5
Challenges
Attendees were asked to describe the challenges in the region. Challenges identified by the group were generally broad and often interconnected issues.
Lack of Opportunity and Higher Education Jobs Unable to bring young career
folks back to the Shore Opportunities for families,
children, and businesses
Public School Quality Inadequate social development Underfunded and unstable
Poverty Level and Public Health Lack of affordable health care Lack of affordable housing
Lack of Shared Vision, Cohesiveness, and Leadership
Lack of Skilled Workforce Ability to attract and retain
business
Geographic Isolation
Division Within the Region Geographically (Bayside/Seaside,
Accomack/Northampton, Counties/Towns, Islands/Mainland)
Racially Religiously
Lack of Critical Mass Insufficient numbers of people
and businesses to support necessary infrastructure and services
Lack of public transportation Lack of access to water and
sewage Inadequate dissemination of
internet service
Government Regulations Challenges one has to go thru to
get ideas accomplished on the local level
Data Observation: Challenges After reviewing the data presented by the SET Regional Team, many attendees indicated that additional data was necessary to allow for more in-depth investigations and enhanced understanding of a broad host of identified challenges ranging from in and out migration from the Shore by age group, trends in retirees locating to the Shore, availability of better aquaculture and agriculture data, education trends, and localized key economic indicators. A summary of additional data needs and information necessary to address identified regional challenges are as follows:
Lack of data on number of people leaving the area, especially young professionals
Lack of data on higher education attainment in the region
Income, poverty and retirees support challenges to the health system
Influx of retirees may not have a positive effect of support in the schools
Unskilled workforce Lack of training for trades in the school system Low taxes=lower teachers wages which doesn’t
always attract the best teachers Issues retaining the teachers we do have Lack of housing for this demographic
Linking the education to the resources we have on the Shore (industrial, agriculture, aquaculture)
Better aquaculture and agriculture data Sales down but agriculture had increase in
prices Forecast of lower commodity prices
Labor force and data show we’re not focused on economic development. We need to look at ED differently
Better understanding of transportation via data Utilize Route 13 A lot of NASA employees settle in and commute
from Maryland
Go deeper on infrastructure (water/sewer, transportation, etc) and prioritize them Where to begin in finding resources?
Cheap labor sometimes attracts less desirable businesses and/or employees
2015 Civic Forum: Eastern Shore – October 27, 2015 6
Opportunities
The participants were asked what opportunities could help make the Eastern Shore more vibrant. The group placed the opportunities into nine major categories, which were brand development, leadership, livability/human health, education, business development/support, business resources development/funding, tourism, infrastructure, and development of a regional vision.
Eastern Shore Brand Development Branding the Region Marketing
“Heartwood” Market
Develop creative place-making strategy
Create Retirement Region
Distribute and promote ESVA Chamber of Commerce’s guide to living in rural community
“One Small Town” Brand for the Shore – emphasize small towns, branded wayfaring signs on Route 13 leading people to towns
Implement a regional destination mindset
Focus on farm to table (high value)
Leadership Leadership courses across spectrum
Inclusion of Spanish speakers
Livability/Human Health Improve health/decrease burden of health care costs on businesses
Education Establish a 4-year college on the Shore
Develop an education to job program that fits our region
Train our workforce to meet needs
Develop an advanced graphic and animation training center
Establish a job network for Shore graduates
Establish tourism training program
Develop a regional hospitality/customer service training program
Enhance primary/high school education
Change high school electives to occupational
Improve schools
Have more apprenticeships or mentoring opportunities
Continued STEM support
Business Resources Development/Funding Establish an EB5 – regional center for new funding sources
Business Development/Support Develop a support program for new businesses
Establish a co-op for small farmers
Develop a mentorship program for business
Create business incubators
Bring one new large industry to the Shore
Offer more virtual work opportunities
Create international trade opportunities
Value-added existing industries
Develop an app for local shopping utilizing a local database
Enhance business recruitment by enticing niche market industries and small businesses
Develop a farm-to-brewery
Expand the Virginia Tech Agricultural Research & Extension Center
Attract more businesses to Route 13 – including enhancing Route 13
Create a microloan program for entrepreneurial start-ups
Tourism Leverage the artisan trail
Attract tourists/storytelling
Rebuild barrier islands
Enhance regional outdoor recreation
Revitalize railroad/transportation/tourism
Build theme parks
Infrastructure Enhance internet access throughout the region
Increase transportation to secondary roads
Develop regional industrial parks
Lower energy costs
Make electric more attainable
Construct necessary water/sewer
Regional Vision Establish a regional info/data hub
Create regional environments
Join the JIDA, EDA and ANPDC to create significant regionalism
2015 Civic Forum: Eastern Shore – October 27, 2015 7
Where our decision makers would invest:
At the end of the session, participants were instructed to select one of the categories of “opportunities” that should be a priority. The leading choices of this exercise were Education, Infrastructure, and Business Development/Support. The final tally for all categories was as follows (number of votes in parentheses):
1. Education (12)
2. Infrastructure (8)
3. Business Development/Support (7)
4. Eastern Shore Brand Development (2)
Tourism (2)
Regional Vision (2)
7. Leadership (1)
Business Resources Development/Funding (1)
9. Livability/Human Health (0)
Takeaways
We need more local educational professionals, especially in the K-12 sector. It is important to engage this sector prior December 15 meeting
We need more representation from local churches
We generally want the same thing and are passionate about preserving the Shore’s heritage and culture while enhancing its future
The SET process should emphasize strategic development around Education, Infrastructure, and Business Development/Support
It is critical that this SET Program result in tangible outcomes unlike previous economic development planning efforts.
One of the main takeaways from today’s forum was that regardless of our different agencies or missions, we all generally want the same thing and are working toward the same type of goals. We may have a slightly different focus, but our outcomes are interconnected. While one area/agency may have good short-term outcomes, in order for us to succeed in the long-term, we must work together to create solutions. While we highlight that many of our greatest strengths revolve around our region’s attractiveness regarding natural/cultural assets and our way of life, we know that we cannot rely on tourism as our main industry.
Assignment There was a general consensus within the group that we needed to engage more individuals and agencies throughout the region. Each person was asked to engage others in the region to both extend an invitation to participate and to discuss economic growth in the region that may be reported back to the group at the next meeting.
2015 Civic Forum: Eastern Shore – October 27, 2015 8
Next Meeting The next Stronger Economies Together (SET) meeting will occur on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, and its focus will be “Examining Economic Data for the Region”. To RSVP for the meeting, please contact Curtis Smith at [email protected] or (757) 787-2936 ext.114.
Website Please visit http://a-npdc.org/planning-community-development/set/ for more information about the Eastern Shore SET initiative. The website will be updated regularly with presentations and documents offered during SET sessions throughout the SET program.
