Wealth Creation (of all forms) for your Community

Nearly two years ago I was at a business function for CenterState CEO in Syracuse. I was introduced to an enthusiastic entrepreneur who, as luck would have it, was raving about improvements and a ‘renaissance’ of sorts underway in my own hometown area of Pulaski, NY.

Vinny Lobdell, Jr. of Healthway and Pure said

“You must come and see what’s happening!”

So, that's exactly what I did. Not long after that, I moved 'back home' to a place I felt I could contribute to as well as be a part of the energy that's happening there.

Since moving back I’ve attended tourism council, economic task force, board, town hall, and comprehensive plan meetings. I’ve met with teachers, farmers, politicians, professors, DEC officers, scientists, restaurant owners, construction workers, students, artists, entrepreneurs from multiple business sectors.

These efforts have helped me better understand the mindset, the needs, the dreams, the failures, the beliefs, the capabilities, the talent, the lifeblood of who we are as individuals, and as a Community.

Do you believe that “prescription without diagnosis is malpractice?”

A proper assessment of our talent, our skills, our capabilities, our DESIRE, is absolutely necessary for designing a formula that has a high probability of succeeding.

Next Step:

A HIGH-IMPACT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR YOUR COMMUNITY

The Battelle Institute is a leading research and economic development firm. They’re a model of excellence for understanding and implementing effective strategies for economic growth and prosperity for any-sized community.

Battelle asserts that a high impact economic development plan is built upon a unique combination of:

Research & Development

Talent

Targeted industry strategies

Innovation

University – Industry relationships

Capital

Infrastructure

A key premise for economic prosperity, Battelle states, lies in “… continual learning, discovery, and innovation.”

McKinsey & Co., another leading US Firm focusing on economic prosperity, years ago consulted with Kodak, the well-known Rochester-based company.

They transferred knowledge to Kodak’s leaders at the time, about trends, what was coming, and how to adapt. With Kodak, it wasn’t a case of not KNOWING. It was a case of not DOING.

In a recent Forbes article, taken directly from the US Economic Development Administration web site home page, Forbes asserts there’s a NEW FRAMEWORK for economic development emerging. This new framework recognizes that

the greatest potential comes from individuals,

and the unlimited potential of communities and regions to create value when they have access to resources, and are encouraged to pursue the unknown and risky.

The single most important driving force is that we must create an environment conducive for innovation, connectivity, and emergence of commercial enterprises making valuable products and services.

When that environment is created, the formula for job creation, housing development, economic prosperity, is revealed.

An Inc. Magazine July 2014 article states success in a small, rural community’s prosperity lies within the community’s ability to

“unlock this innovative potential in your own people” (and to do that) “you must engage a broader community of stakeholders.”

TRENDS

From Agri-Tourism to Tech

How do we succeed and prosper without losing our treasured sense of identity and unique, natural and cultural resources?

Wealth creation in rural communities is happening. Wealth comes in many forms. Rural communities are learning how to leverage all of their forms of wealth.

Their financial capital,

natural capital,

social capital,

individual capital,

built capital,

intellectual capital,

and political capital.

When we seek to build the prosperity of the entire economic system of our community… all of these assets, no one type of capital is favored at the expense of another. Our unique identity is enhanced, not replaced. Everyone prospers.

For those with enterprise, the rewards reaped are even greater.

“The Business Innovation Center”

is part of our next chapter in our community. Could it be in yours? What other ways can you foster the 'right environment' for innovation and progress to occur? We'll house it downtown; visible to our residents and to tourists. It’s my vision that such a Center fosters the spirit of an innovative and entrepreneurial environment in our Town. The Center also makes a statement about what we believe, who we are, where we’re headed, and how much we’re prepared to invest in enterprise.

ACCESS

What can you do over the next year to ensure everyone has access to BROADBAND?

To enable businesses and the individuals driving them… cell signal strength, Wi-Fi, broadband access is crucial.

How also do you help every business owner get MOBILE FRIENDLY NOW?

CONNECTIVITY

How do we foster stronger, consistent channels of communication?

A recent “Town Hall” meeting in one of our Hamlets, "Pine Grove" recently is a simple, effective answer. Like so many small towns, we've lost our local newspaper and find there's a real gap in day to day news and communication opportunities. We're developing, supported/sustained ‘Tourism-based’ web site, blog, and social presence to share timely news & event information. To many these outlets may seem commonplace, to a small town like ours, they're monumental in connecting the dots.

The sites will cross-connects the school, the town, the village, and surrounding communities as well, crucial to the prosperity of our region.

STRONG FENCES

“Strong fences make for good neighbors”

Healthy debate and efforts are underway to strengthen our zoning, leveraging and reinforcing our current ‘built capital.’ Clear, decisive zoning invites responsible development. In many instances, zoning in towns and villages across rural America haven't been updated in 75+ years.

INSPIRATION & COLLABORATION

Can energy, positive and productive input, downright inspiration, be continuously fostered, recognized and rewarded as the

absolute necessary ingredient for success?

We held a "Breakfast of Champions" inviting key players, entrepreneurs, ambassadors, believers, to convene and collaborate on our BRAND PROMISE AND BRAND STORY for our Town. It was a precursor to our larger, upcoming Fall Economic Summit where we'll have guest expert speakers as well as Round Table Category discussions (led by an Ambassador with that skill set/background) from tourism - to manufacturing - to conservation (preserving rural character as we develop).

From the simplest cocktail party to a large conference, every collaboration, every vocal, public expression of enthusiasm and vision is all-important in keeping the momentum going.

YOUR ROLE, YOUR GOAL

The American dream is still alive today in my little town of 4,000 citizens in Pulaski, NY.

You may see the role of Community Development Coordinator through this lens or that lens and no doubt they differ from one person or one board to the next.

Only a few have asked me how I see it. So here goes...

This part-time job of mine as Community Development Coordinator is to:

1) Research – Analyze – Provide Insight on Opportunities – and Exhibit Enterprise (“BE the model”)

And…

2) Create connections that didn’t exist before

3) Leverage our assets and capabilities in a way that we can plausibly & profitably WIN

4) Assist in spearheading industry categories I believe we can become distinctive for and that impact how we see ourselves and our road to a better quality of life

5) Facilitate and help foster consistent communication amongst many different groups

6) Write, gain consensus, and share our community story; both for ourselves, and for others to hear, learn, and spread the good word

ANYTHING WORTHWHILE

None of the things that we’re doing, or considering doing, are easy. If they were, everyone would be doing them.

It is absolutely now our time in the sun. It could be your town's too. Forces are aligning for those of us living in small town, rural America, to do us good.

Can we recognize that? Can we seize the day?

Do we have the courage to work for that prosperity?

IT’S MUCH EASIER TO SAY ‘NO’

A very wise man used to say to me “Lead, follow, or get outta’ the way!”

My grandfather Tony lived almost his entire life in Pulaski. He was a part of a lot of great stories told about our community over the last century. He also used to tell me

“It’s easy to say no to things you don’t understand Angie. Always, always, the harder thing is to do something new. But when you do, you can make a lotta’ money!” My grandfather sure did work hard (and generally smart) for every dollar he earned.

Ultimately,

If you set your mind to leveraging your skill set and passion for your hometown, alongside the assets and resources that can help make your community distinctive... you can do and build great things and meet some pretty spectacular neighbors along the way.

Keep going... keep helping to dust off the American Dream for an individual or business in your community. Every day do what others have done for you -

Success is letting enterprising people know they’ve got a whole community behind them wanting to see them win, to create wealth of all forms for themselves, their employees, their families.

Vinny Lobdell extended an all-important invitation to me two years ago. It’s still the best benchmark today… when I hear of yet another citizen who’s turned to their co-worker in Syracuse or Watertown or to their out-of-state relative, or to other business owners in neighboring cities and say…

“You must come and see what’s happening!”