The Worthiness of Local Economic Development

worthythewriting-franklin-quote1 Too often local elected and appointed officials feel overrun by the fast-moving flames of budgeting, personnel issues, and other public management challenges – to the point that they can do little more than react to the most urgent crisis confronting them.

Action on the “worthy” but not necessarily urgent things that need doing in a community (those that contribute most to achieving their community’s goals and priorities) get set aside or postponed for “another day.”

Economic development was one of those worthy but not urgent things a community needs to do, at least until Michigan’s current recession took hold. For more officials, economic development has now also been added to “urgent” list, with good reason.

To retain existing businesses and create new investment and growth opportunities, we must do more than just respond and react to the next crisis. Effective planning for economic development is essential to keeping your community an attractive place to live, work, visit, and play. This is as true for rural townships and villages as it is for small towns and large cities.

Development of a long-range vision for “what your community wants to be when it grows up,” coupled with a well-considered economic development strategy, creates a framework for success that will help to ensure a competitive edge, even in a down economy.

Those of us privileged to work for local governments in the areas of planning, architecture, engineering, and economic development have a unique opportunity to impact the future history of the communities in which we work. Beware the allure of “another day.” There is no better time then now to put our plans in place and “do things worthy the writing” to position our communities to take full advantage of future opportunities.

Click here to read the follow-up article, “More Thoughts on the Worthiness of Local Economic Development” - another piece in our “economic development” series. Your comments are welcome (see comment box below).

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About the Author

As the principal planner and Zoning Guru for Building Place Consultants, Rodney C. Nanney, AICP is an innovative provider of solutions to community planning, zoning, and local economic development challenges. Mr. Nanney is a recognized zoning expert and the creator of the Place Zoning model for mixed-use neighborhoods and walkable communities.

An accomplished writer and public speaker, he also has the all-to-rare gift among planners of being able to effectively communicate planning and zoning concepts in plain language. He has spoken before audiences large and small, and as diverse as church groups, college students, elected officials, and elementary-age children.