By Ed Morrison, EDPro
For the past nine months or so, EDPros in Indiana, led by Purdue’s Center for Regional Development, have been working on a rural economic development strategy. Called “The Spirit and Quality of Place: A 2020 Vision for the Indiana Countryside”, the report represents the best thinking of over 150 people involved in the project. This process sets the report apart. Both dynamic and transparent, the process underscores the importance of designing civic engagement that balances open participation with leadership direction.
The idea of balance is simple, but not easy to execute. The next step involves reviewing the draft in community meetings across the state. Read more.
The strategy focuses on key components that every rural community should consider as they build strategies to strengthen their economies. You can download a copy of the draft report here.
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