Stronger Economies Together: Crossing Boundaries Successes, Challenges, Solutions, & Lessons Learned Bo Beaulieu -- Purdue Center for Regional Development Rachel Welborn – Southern Rural Development Center 2013 Galaxy Conference – Pittsburgh, PA

Key Components of SET Data Analysis The Team Vision & Goals Assets A Regional Plan

SET: Working to Add Value to Local Economic Development Activities

What is SET Trying to Do? Help rural communities/counties work together as a regional team in developing and implementing A High Quality Regional Economic Development Plan that builds on the current and emerging economic strengths of their region.

Challenges & Solutions Participation: o Traditional players unwilling to let a broader array of people be involved o Getting both Rural Development and Extension at the table o Determining what regions can best benefit from SET Solution: o Specific module to address the importance of inclusion moved to first session o Joint state applications signed by Ext and RD directors/administrators o Revised regional application form and process

1,7 685 Initial Participants (Phases I thru III) SET... Expanding Engagement Beginning of SETBy the End of SET 2,098 Participants (+306%) = 100

Challenges & Solutions Training/Coaching Team: o Finding people with content knowledge and good facilitation skills Solution: o Improved modeling of appropriate skills in train- the-trainer session o National team providing coaching and conducting site visits with select state training teams o Special webinars as needed to shore up knowledge gaps. o Use of out-of-state expertise as needed

The Challenges/Concerns Regionalism: o Leaders who don’t fully embrace regional strategies Solution: o Incorporated region-specific data into the modules to help raise understanding of value of regionalism

A Recent SET Meeting in Colorado “It was interesting to list the places where we have commonalities and the places we have vast differences. I think coming together on things that benefit not just communities but the entire region is going to be a great part of the process.” Christina Oxley, Executive Director Craig, CO Chamber of Commerce Comment about May 1, 2013 SET meeting

The Challenges/Concerns Curricula: o “Lecture-type” presentations o Getting teams engaged quickly o Need for more information on some topics Solutions: o Revised and reorganized the SET modules o Infused more interaction into the process o Supplemental modules produced on targeted topics o Identified a deliverable pertinent to the region for each session.

The Challenges/Concerns Outcomes: o Trouble getting regions to produce a solid regional economic development plan o Difficulty securing the data needed to document impacts Solutions: o Linked module activities directly to development of a regional plan o Developed guidelines for writing a high quality regional plan o Launched a peer-review process for assessing regional plans o Created seed funding ($5000) to incentivize teams to develop/implement a high quality plan

States Currently Part of SET Phase IV

Lessons Learned Select new or recently formed regional teams Connect each module to high quality plan Clearly articulate what is expected of teams Provide relevant regional data Ensure that at least one coach is well-versed in economic cluster analysis Identify coaches with strong subject matter knowledge and facilitation skills Position SET as a planning process

Overall Successes SET now in 28 states and nearly 60 regions SET modules are now more effective (4 th iteration) USDA RD and Extension Service working relationship is solidified Impacts of SET being systematically tracked Approximately $6.2 million captured by SET regions to date (3:1 ratio) New and lasting relationships being built

Contact Information Bo Beaulieu, PhD Purdue Center for Regional Development Rachel Welborn Southern Rural Development Center