Sunday, July 31, 2005
Reducing brain drain the represents one of the major challenges for communities on a low growth path. Regional economies with low or declining population growth face difficult challenges in building their economies. It's not unlike riding a bicycle. As a bicycle slows down, keeping your balance becomes harder.
One strategy that makes sense is to improve the physical development of the slow-growing economies. Creating quality, connected places represents an important step that many communities can take to make their regional economy attractive. Meeting this challenge often requires an unprecedented level of local cooperation.
Physical development patterns quickly cross local political jurisdictions. Zoning often becomes one of the first challenges the region's face in building stronger collaboration. Here's an example of how local leaders are confronting this challenge in Terre Haute, Indiana. Read more.
posted by Ed Morrison |
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Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site:
Here's the link if you are a bloglines subscriber:
Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
Cooperating in land use
