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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
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