SOUTH TEXAS RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT CRISTINA TREJO, PROJECT DIRECTOR GUADALUPE RODRIGUEZ, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Workshop Objectives Introductions Define Rural Development Discuss Community v Economic Development Demonstrate how asset mapping/strategic planning may be used as a tool for rural community and economic development

Rural Development

Rural Development Definition Rural Development is used to denote the actions and initiatives that improve the standard of living in non-urban neighborhoods, countryside, and remote villages.

Rural Development Definition These communities can be exemplified with a low ratio of inhabitants to open space rather than densely populated areas.

Rural Development Definition Rural development actions and initiatives mostly aim at the social and economic development of the areas.

Community & Economic Development

Economic Development Those activities that cause a net gain of money flow, called an economic base, into the community

Community Development The practices of civic leaders, activists, citizens and professionals to improve various aspects of local communities. Community development seeks to empower individuals and groups by providing them with the skills they need to affect change in their own communities.

Community Economic Development Process by which partnerships interconnect business with other interests & values: skills/ education,/health,/housing/environment. Business becomes a means to wealth and sustainability.

Total CommunityDevelopment Model

Where Do We Start?

STRREDS (one method) Received grant to develop: 1. an Asset Map 2. an Economic Development Strategy for small, rural communities in South Texas

Critical Project Tasks Select Communities to participate Form a Leadership Strategy Committee Establish a multidisciplinary team

Community Selection Criteria 1) Population below 20,000 persons 2) poverty rate of 10% or more 3) median household income less than $30,000 4) not contiguous with a metropolitan area with a population of more than 20,000 persons

Target Communities Starr CountyCameron CountyWillacy CountyHidalgo County El SauzArroyo CityLasaraAlton EscobaresCombesLyfordEdcouch La GrullaIndian LakePort MansfieldElsa Rio Grande CityLa FeriaRaymondvilleGranjeno RomaLos FresnosSan PerlitaHargill San IsidroLos IndiosSanta MonicaHidalgo Port IsabelSebastianLa Joya PrimeraLa Villa Rio HondoMadero Santa MariaMcCook Santa RosaMonte Alto Palmhurst Palmview Penitas Progreso Sullivan City

Strategic Leadership Committee Guides development of the asset map and economic development plan give input on assets review and provide feedback participate in strategic planning sessions help publicize and market the project

Committee Expertise Rural Development Agricultural Economics Agricultural Research Electric Power Broadband/Internet Rural Telecommunications Rural Housing Colonias Economic Development Business Development Workforce Development Rural Water Youth Leadership K-16 Education Health Sciences Community Development Banking

Project Team Project Director, Cristina Trejo-Vasquez Project Advisor, Brian Kelsey Project Analyst, Michael Uhrbrock Rural Development Specialist, Gaddi Rodriguez Data Specialist, Sai Mullapudi GIS Specialist, Isaac Longoria Graduate Student Researchers: MBA, MPA, MSW

Asset Mapping Framework

What is an Asset Map? Identifies the assets a region has that can be leveraged for workforce and economic development What assets (human, intellectual, financial, physical, institutional capital) do we have? How do we compare to other areas? What are the gaps? Provides understanding of networks and cultural attitudes Provides baseline to judge future progress Base for strategic planning

Levels of Asset Mapping Level 1 – Asset Identification Level 2 – Basic Evaluation Level 3 – Comprehensive Assessment

Level 1 – Asset Identification Identification of and cataloging of all major assets relevant to regional development.

Level 2 – Basic Evaluation Assess the strengths and weakness of assets and identify gaps in the regional innovation process.

Level 3 – Comprehensive Assessment Moves beyond identification and gap analysis to provide a deeper understanding of the factors that drive the regional economy.

Sample Timeline for Asset Mapping

Asset Identification Review existing studies, media stories, and economic development marketing materials for communities Conduct interviews with committee and stakeholders Collect and analyze data from public sources Prepare community profiles

Data to be Collected Demographics Businesses/Clusters Specialized workforce Innovation metrics Infrastructure Key players Networks

The STRREDS Process Data Collection Analysis Forums Business Surveys Leadership Interviews

STRREDS Asset Map Data Collection Human Capital Research and Development Financial Capital Industrial Base Connective Organizations Legal and Regulatory Environment Physical Infrastructure Quality of Life

Analysis Forums 239 participants took part in a SWOT analysis and prioritization of planning areas Cameron County Forum: May 12 Hidalgo County Forum: May 14 Willacy County Forum May 20 Starr County Forum: May 26 Rural Economic Summit: June 15

Forum Participation PrivatePublicNon-profitResidentsAcademia TOTALS PERCENTAGE (100%)37%20%13%19%10%

Business Surveys 224 telephone surveys completed 100 Agriculture Businesses 124 Rural Businesses

Leadership Interviews 32 interviews were conducted with leaders from the rural communities

Data Challenges Rural focus differentiates this project from other asset mapping initiativesdifficult to aggregate community-level data across multiple counties Limited recent demographic data available from U.S. Census Bureau for rural communities Most economic data (e.g., industries, occupations) published by government agencies available only for counties and metropolitan areas

Asset Map Illuminate: Asset Mapping Roadmap, a Guide to Assessing Regional Development Resources (Council of Competitiveness)

Strategic Planning

Analysis of the Data Identify challenges and opportunities Identify gap areas based on data analysis

Goals and Objectives Define regional expectations Identify strategic issues most likely to impact the economic future of rural communities Set forth goals and objectives necessary to: 1. Enhance opportunities 2. Capitalize on the regions resources and assets

Strategic Projects, Programs, Activities Identify and prioritize vital projects and programs designed to implement the goals and objectives Consider current and future funding sources Consider partnerships, collaborative ventures, etc.

Plan of Action Create strategies for the implementation of projects, programs and activities Establish performance measures used to evaluate progress toward achieving the goals identified as important for the regions development

Implementation Strategy STRREDS Task Force UTPA Implementation Team Capacity Building Workgroup Business & Job Growth Workgroup Skilled & Competitive Workforce Workgroup Natural Resources & Tourism Workgroup

SOUTH TEXAS RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT