SOUTH TEXAS RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTCRISTINA TREJO, PROJECT DIRECTORGUADALUPE RODRIGUEZ, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST

Workshop Objectives

Introductions Define Rural Development Discuss Community v Economic

Development Demonstrate how asset

mapping/strategic planning may be used as a tool for rural community and economic development

Rural Development

Rural Development Definition Rural Development is used to

denote the actions and initiatives that improve the standard of living in non-urban neighborhoods, countryside, and remote villages.

Rural Development Definition These communities can be

exemplified with a low ratio of inhabitants to open space rather than densely populated areas.

Rural Development Definition Rural development actions and

initiatives mostly aim at the social and economic development of the areas.

Community & Economic Development

Economic Development

Those activities that cause a net gain of money flow, called an economic base, into the community

Community Development

The practices of civic leaders, activists, citizens and professionals to improve various aspects of local communities.

Community development seeks to empower individuals and groups by providing them with the skills they need to affect change in their own communities.

Community Economic Development Process by which partnerships

interconnect business with other interests & values: skills/ education,/health,/housing/environment.

Business becomes a means to wealth and sustainability.

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Where Do We Start?

STRREDS (one method)

Received grant to develop:1. an Asset Map2. an Economic Development

Strategy for small, rural communities in South Texas

Critical Project Tasks

Select Communities to participate

Form a Leadership Strategy Committee

Establish a multidisciplinary team

Community Selection Criteria 1) Population below 20,000 persons 2) poverty rate of 10% or more 3) median household income less than

$30,000 4) not contiguous with a metropolitan

area with a population of more than 20,000 persons

Target Communities

Starr County Cameron County Willacy County Hidalgo CountyEl Sauz Arroyo City Lasara AltonEscobares Combes Lyford EdcouchLa Grulla Indian Lake Port Mansfield ElsaRio Grande City La Feria Raymondville Granjeno Roma Los Fresnos San Perlita Hargill San Isidro Los Indios Santa Monica Hidalgo

Port Isabel Sebastian La Joya Primera La VillaRio Hondo MaderoSanta Maria McCookSanta Rosa Monte Alto

Palmhurst Palmview Penitas Progreso Sullivan City

Strategic Leadership Committee

Guides development of the asset map and economic development plan give input on assets review and provide feedback participate in strategic planning sessions help publicize and market the project

Committee Expertise

Rural Development Agricultural

Economics Agricultural Research Electric Power Broadband/Internet Rural

Telecommunications Rural Housing Colonias

Economic Development Business Development Workforce

Development Rural Water Youth Leadership K-16 Education Health Sciences Community

Development Banking

Project Team

Project Director, Cristina Trejo-Vasquez Project Advisor, Brian Kelsey Project Analyst, Michael Uhrbrock Rural Development Specialist, Gaddi

Rodriguez Data Specialist, Sai Mullapudi GIS Specialist, Isaac Longoria Graduate Student Researchers: MBA,

MPA, MSW

Asset Mapping Framework

What is an Asset Map?

Identifies the assets a region has that can be leveraged for workforce and economic development What assets (human, intellectual, financial,

physical, institutional capital) do we have? How do we compare to other areas? What are the gaps? Provides understanding of networks and

cultural attitudes Provides baseline to judge future progress Base for strategic planning

Levels of Asset Mapping

Level 1 – Asset Identification Level 2 – Basic Evaluation Level 3 – Comprehensive Assessment

Level 1 – Asset Identification Identification of and cataloging of all

major assets relevant to regional development.

Level 2 – Basic Evaluation

Assess the strengths and weakness of assets and identify gaps in the regional innovation process.

Level 3 – Comprehensive Assessment

Moves beyond identification and gap analysis to provide a deeper understanding of the factors that drive the regional economy.

Sample Timeline for Asset Mapping

Asset Identification

Review existing studies, media stories, and economic development marketing materials for communities

Conduct interviews with committee and stakeholders

Collect and analyze data from public sources

Prepare community profiles

Data to be Collected

Demographics Businesses/Clusters Specialized workforce Innovation metrics Infrastructure Key players Networks

The STRREDS Process

Data Collection Analysis Forums Business Surveys Leadership Interviews

STRREDS Asset Map Data Collection

Human Capital Research and Development Financial Capital Industrial Base Connective Organizations Legal and Regulatory Environment Physical Infrastructure Quality of Life

Analysis Forums

239 participants took part in a SWOT analysis and prioritization of planning areas Cameron County Forum: May 12 Hidalgo County Forum: May 14 Willacy County Forum May 20 Starr County Forum: May 26 Rural Economic Summit: June 15

Forum Participation

Private PublicNon-profit

Residents

Academia

TOTALS 89 48 31 46 24

PERCENTAGE (100%) 37% 20% 13% 19% 10%

Business Surveys

224 telephone surveys completed 100 Agriculture Businesses 124 Rural Businesses

Leadership Interviews

32 interviews were conducted with leaders from the rural communities

Data Challenges

Rural focus differentiates this project from other asset mapping initiatives—difficult to aggregate community-level data across multiple counties

Limited recent demographic data available from U.S. Census Bureau for rural communities

Most economic data (e.g., industries, occupations) published by government agencies available only for counties and metropolitan areas

Asset Map

www.strreds.wikispaces.com Illuminate: Asset Mapping Roadmap, a

Guide to Assessing Regional Development Resources (Council of Competitiveness)

Strategic Planning

Analysis of the Data

Identify challenges and opportunities

Identify gap areas based on data analysis

Goals and Objectives

Define regional expectations Identify strategic issues most likely to

impact the economic future of rural communities

Set forth goals and objectives necessary to:

1. Enhance opportunities 2. Capitalize on the region’s resources

and assets

Strategic Projects, Programs, Activities

Identify and prioritize vital projects and programs designed to implement the goals and objectives

Consider current and future funding sources

Consider partnerships, collaborative ventures, etc.

Plan of Action

Create strategies for the implementation of projects, programs and activities

Establish performance measures used to evaluate progress toward achieving the goals identified as important for the region’s development

Implementation Strategy

SOUTH TEXAS RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT