Communities across Oregon will have the first opportunity to utilize a new economic development strategic planning tool developed by a Baker City, Oregon-based company.
Oregon, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the entire nation, has an opportunity to springboard into stronger economic times through a new, objective, and comprehensive approach for communities to envision and enact their future.

“All communities have an opportunity to improve their economic condition and overall quality of life,” said Brian Cole, author and founder of Building Communities. “The key is to be very strategic about planning and implementing the future of a community.”

Cole has authored Building Communities: 25 Strategies to Advance America which not only presents 25 executable economic development strategies, but also offers the 85 key success factors that communities must possess to successfully implement one or more strategy.

“Building Communities-based economic development strategic planning is not business-as-usual for communities,” said Cole. "From Baker City to Bandon and from Banks to Burns, communities have different possibilities. Successful economic development is about seizing the viable opportunities while forgoing pie-in-the-sky strategies.”

The Building Communities methodology allows communities to customize strategies that stand the greatest likelihood of success. In addition, Building Communities presents a series of strategy-specific essential action steps to jump-start the implementation phase of the plan.

“Now is the time to have an up-to-date, community-specific plan to capitalize on the rebounding economy,” said Cole. "The Building Communities process can complete this for communities, counties, and regions in just a matter of months."

Comparative Advantages of using the Building Communities Economic Development Strategic Planning Metholodogy vs. traditional planning methods

Are you ready to begin the Building Communities planning process? Building Communities is ready for you!