Economic development involves creating, retaining, and reinvesting wealth to improve quality of life. It differs from economic growth in focusing on long-term community benefits. A case study of Oakland, MD shows how embracing opportunities like a Walmart store and promoting downtown helped economic development by raising incomes and lowering vacancy rates. The presentation emphasizes community involvement, strategic planning, and using all available tools including social media to effectively promote a town's unique assets.

1. EconomicEconomic
DevelopmentDevelopment
For Your TownFor Your Town
AndrAndréé Natta, CMSMNatta, CMSM
Your Town Alabama 2013Your Town Alabama 2013
Camp McDowell, ALCamp McDowell, AL
May 9, 2013May 9, 2013

2. ?

3. “(T)he process by which a community
creates, retains, and reinvests wealth and
improves the quality of life.”
- David Dobson
MDC, Inc.
Working definitionWorking definition

4. Economic Growth
vs.
Economic Development

5. Early Economic GrowthEarly Economic Growth

6. Economic GrowthEconomic Growth

7. Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development

8. It's a global marketIt's a global market

9. Look outside!Look outside!
(stay aware)(stay aware)

10. “But I love New Orleans as a city for one
reason: when you’re standing on a corner in
New Orleans and look around, there is
nowhere else in the world you could
possibly be. And that’s true of fewer and
fewer cities around the globe.”
- Donovan Rypkema
PlaceEconomics
2009

11. Unique assetsUnique assets

13. Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
SWOT AnalysisSWOT Analysis

14. Community Involvement is keyCommunity Involvement is key

15. Give them ownership
Lead by example
Form strategic partnerships
Let them identify community needs
Community involvementCommunity involvement

16. Vision = values & direction
Mission = purpose & objectives
Vision & mission statementsVision & mission statements

17. We're merely taking care of it for them...We're merely taking care of it for them...

18. ...get them INVOLVED in the process, too!...get them INVOLVED in the process, too!

19. Framework = not set in stone
Long term
● 5-10 years
Short term
● 1 year
Plan = Framework

20. Case study | Oakland, MDCase study | Oakland, MD
Population (2000)Population (2000) 1,9301,930
City budget (2005)City budget (2005) $2.25 million$2.25 million
Per-capita income (2000)Per-capita income (2000) $16,900$16,900
Median household income (2000)Median household income (2000) $26,700$26,700
Poverty rate (2000)Poverty rate (2000) 19%19%
Minority population (2000)Minority population (2000) 1%1%
Proximity to urban centerProximity to urban center 96 miles to Pittsburgh, PA96 miles to Pittsburgh, PA
Time frameTime frame 1998-20021998-2002
Source: UNC School of GovernmentSource: UNC School of Government

21. Agriculture-based economy
Highest unemployment rate – 16.5% (1995)
Bausch and Lomb plant
State mandated restriction on new development
1970 – mid 1990s
Lifted in when water treatment facility built
Designated Main Street Community in 1998
Case study | Oakland, MDCase study | Oakland, MD

22. ●Historic downtown train station renovated
●Summer concert series started
●Broad-based community support of program
●Big box retailer announced in 2000
●Confirmed as Walmart in 2001
Case study | Oakland, MDCase study | Oakland, MD

23. ●MS Director helped businesses prepare
●MS Director reached out to Walmart manager
●Ability to create unique marketing campaign
Case study | Oakland, MDCase study | Oakland, MD

24. Walmart is among the highest grossing in theWalmart is among the highest grossing in the
United StatesUnited States
Downtown Oakland has near-zero vacancyDowntown Oakland has near-zero vacancy
Case study | Oakland, MDCase study | Oakland, MD

25. ●Big box doesn't necessarily destroy Main Street
●Community support building helpful in long-term
●Look for opportunity in adversity
Takeaways | Oakland, MDTakeaways | Oakland, MD

26. Cafe-shaped conversationsCafe-shaped conversations

27. Why NOT to be using it:Why NOT to be using it:
●It's free and easy
●Everybody else is doing it
●It's the best way to reach the “young” people

28. Why SHOULD you be using it:Why SHOULD you be using it:
●Complimenting your plan's objectives
● If it's not considered part of it, it should be
●Tools (& people) are in place to manage a strategy
effectively
●You are willing to be where they are online

29. Be aware of the conversationsBe aware of the conversations

30. Small town resources

31. SMALL TOWNS, BIG IDEAS
●UNC School of Government searchable
database of 45 communities
VIBRANT RURAL COMMUNITIES
CASE STUDIES SERIES
●NADO Study of 9 communities (2012)
Online resourcesOnline resources

32. ?

33. Be strategicBe strategic

34. Keep in touch:Keep in touch:
André Natta
andre@urbanconversations.com
(205) 276.6585
@acnatta (I'm “noisy” on Wednesdays)