Building Communities Dispels
Strategic Planning Myths

For two generations, economic development strategic planning has emphasized researching demographics and generating a community-based vision statement.

But why?

Why study the percentage of a segment of the local population only then to dismiss that information in favor of planning activities that are more germane to the task at hand?

Why generate a generic community vision statement? Dozens of community members will frequently spend hours—if not days—crafting some form of vision statement only to find that such a statement could be “copied and pasted” behind the name of the next community right down the road.

Indeed, every community has a vision for a healthy, economically-sound society. Every community wants to diversify their economy. Every community wants to afford opportunities for their youth to return to town after college.

In short, conducting demographic research and crafting vision statements might feel good, but this activity does not necessarily lead communities to strategic, viable plans for their future.

Economic development veteran Brian Cole recognizes these myths about economic development strategic planning. In fact, his methodology, Building Communities, does not start with academic research and feel-good visioning discussions.

Rather, Building Communities begins with the premise that there are 25 viable economic development strategies for American communities. But just because these strategies exist does not mean that every community should pursue every strategy.

Toward this end, Building Communities presents the 85 key economic development success factors necessary to implement one or more strategies.

Communities must assess whether they have a comparative advantage with respect to each and every key success factor. Where they do, viable strategies emerge. Where they do not, community leaders do not waste their time pursuing unrealistic dreams.

Building Communities is a paradigm shift in the way that American communities will envision and enact their future. No longer will strategies be pursued “because we’ve always done it that way”. No longer will communities ignore the absolute requirements for success in order to implement one or more strategies. And no longer will the loudest voices prevail—only the smartest ones will.

At the core of Building Communities is an algorithm that aligns the key success factors of a community to viable strategies that a community should implement.

This comparative-advantage-based analysis ensures efficiency and effectiveness in the planning process, while still recognizing that passion is a key ingredient for the successful economic rebound for American communities. That is, in addition to the computer-based algorithm is the recognition that leadership and effort can make the impossible possible for some communities. As such, the Building Communities methodology encompasses seven steps in order to complete a comprehensive plan for a community’s future.