Divide and conquer. For too long communities have drifted to disconnected solutions to connected problems. It’s all about jobs! We must fix our failing education system! How will we deal with the growing number of homeless? Our expanding and aging infrastructure cannot be maintained with our current tax structure. How do we catch and keep the wave of prosperity captured by those lucky communities? The list goes on and on of single important issues. Specialized consultants are sought, which work with a few like-minded groups, to devise specific strategies to steer us toward a narrow menu of disconnected solutions.

Competitive communities get it! Connecting diverse issues and strategies leads to innovation, sharing resources, minimizing duplication and greater consensus for solutions. New strategies for competitive communities are more complex and involve more people. The right process is inclusive, bringing the public together to learn and contribute to shaping visions and tactics for the future. Effective dialogue leads to unique regional branding with appropriate combinations of innovation, brainpower and quality place. Strategies connect economic, social and physical planning to implement shared vision. Results of effective dialogue are more opportunities for a greater portion of the population.

A Northwest North Carolina region of eight counties is learning the benefits of an inclusive process and effective dialogue. Over 2,000 people contributed to a ten month Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) led by Angelou Economics. This public driven process developed cooperative roles for each county in a shared vision for the future that will focus on the regions unique tradition of design. Enthusiasm for the CEDS is evident by a turnout of 900 from across the region for the plan role out event. Learn more from this article, Growing Forward, from the Spring 2004 issue of Economic Development America. The following is an excerpt from the article:

“The lessons learned in Northwest North Carolina have strong relevance to other communities. The lessons on competition, regionalism, and community investment are helpful to any community looking for a new direction in economic development:

· Form close relationships and pool resources with neighboring communities. A regional approach to economic development helps communities succeed and offers residents a wider range of opportunities.
· Make sure economic development activities and local policy cater to entrepreneurial businesses. Entrepreneurs and small businesses will drive future economic growth.
· Strengthen K-12 education, downtowns, and support for local businesses. These investments increase a region’s appeal to new businesses and talented workers. Now more than ever, it is critical to invest in the core of the community.
· Empower local residents and businesses to participate in economic development. They are a great source of new ideas and extend the reach of an economic development organization.
· A region’s ability to attract knowledgeable and talented people is equally as important as the ability to recruit new companies.
· Successful regions will take aggressive steps to reduce social disparity. As disparity decreases, the potential of attracting new investment increases.
· The ability and freedom to innovate differentiates the U.S. from every other country. A region’s economic development campaign must embrace and cultivate innovation.”

If you would like to know more you can download presentations about the plan and process at the NorthwestNC web site. Related entries to Competitive Communities include: How will your Community Grow?, Building Innovation Communities - Are you counting your Entrepreneurs? And The Changing Face of Place.