1. Stronger Economies Together (SET)
Strategies for Building New Economic Opportunities
SET V State Application Preview
December 5, 2014
Suzette

2. Welcome Introduction of National SET Coordinators
Other key partners working on the SET initiative (RRDCs, Curriculum Design Team)
Suzette

3. Virginia’s Growth Alliance
SET in Virginia
Northern
Neck
Martha & Basil if on
Virginia’s Growth Alliance

4. SET: First Four Phases Bo

5. Purpose of SET work together as a regional team in
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. Bo

6. What SET Provides Regional Teams
120 hours of on-site coaching
Hands on step- by-step process for building or enhancing regional plans
Detailed demographic & socio-economic information
Data and analysis on current and emerging clusters
Coaching implementation of the plan
Access to individuals with special expertise
More in-depth cluster analysis
Monthly calls with State Resource Team Members
Webinars on relevant topics
Multi-state meetings
Data & Analysis
Technical Assistance
Peer-to-Peer Networking
Coaching Bo

7. New Streamlined Process
Launching SET through Civic Engagement
Asset Mapping
Goals, Strategies, Action Plans
Measurement
Implementation
Tailored Modules
New Streamlined Process
Dave
TX-Lower Rio Grande Valley

8. Roles and Responsibilities
Get the Word Out (Regional Application Phase): 2 months
Guide Planning: 6 to 7 months
Launch the Team (Implementation): 6 to 7 months
Dave
Get the Word Out:
Market & distribute applications
Review and recommend regional applications
Guide Planning: (6 to 7 months)
Coach the regional teams
Communicate specific data needs
Foster plan development
Launch the Team: (6 to 7 months)
Coach the region in launching plan
Provide technical assistance
Assist regional teams in identifying resources

9. Kicking Off the Process
January 31 State applications due
February 20 States announced
March 2 States solicit applications from regions
April 10 Regional applications due to SRT
June 1 SRT makes recommendations to National SET Coordinating Team
Early July Decisions announced
Mid-July Train-the-coaches workshop
Rachel

10. Outreach to Regions Groups to target
Understanding the rural definition
Rachel
Groups to target:
What works/doesn’t work:
Manageable geography vs really large groups
Regions with very narrow focus
Local buy in vs. top down
Limited representation vs. broad representation
SET not a good fit for all regions
SET can work for some (but not all) EDDs
SET can help RD work with one of its target regions
Resources:
Overview
Video
PowerPoint mini session

11. Funding for SET Funding level: $26,400 per region
To be used to support Extension educators who will play a key role in the SET planning process
How funds may be used:
Partial salary support plus fringes
Travel expenses to coach SET sessions
Supplies/duplication expenses
Long distance telephone expenses
Rachel

12. Your Turn: Question and Answers
Rachel

13. Who to Contact?
Suzette Agans USDA Rural Development Bo Beaulieu Purdue Center for Regional Development
Rachel Welborn
Southern Rural Development Center
Rachel