American Economic Success Stories to be Featured in Upcoming Book

Even amidst some of the most troubling economic times in two generations, many American communities are successfully implementing economic development strategies to improve their economic condition and overall quality of life.

These success stories will be presented in a new economic development strategic planning book, Building Communities: 25 Strategies to Advance America. The book, which will present a new methodology for American communities to envision and enact their future, showcases 25 proven economic strategies that have been successfully implemented across America over the past decade.

For each of the 25 strategies, the book presents an American success story.
Author Brian Cole has contacted successful economic development professionals across America to better understand how communities have successfully implemented such strategies.

“There are so many American communities that have defied the odds over the past few years by implementing strategies and projects to bolster their economy,” said Cole. “In every case, these communities used the principles and strategies recommended in the Building Communities book.”

Building Communities presents 25 economic development strategies as the starting point for civic leaders to consider their possibilities for a brighter future. For each of the 25 strategies, community leaders consider the factors necessary to successfully implement one or more of the strategies. When communities posses many of the key success factors, they can successfully improve their economy and overall quality of life by implementing that particular strategy.

In his upcoming book, Cole profiles a success story for almost all of his strategies.
“This has been a great opportunity not only to showcase successful American communities, but also the economic development professionals that are advancing these strategies,” said Cole. “There are a lot of reasons to be optimistic that American communities can turn around their economic fortune by being strategic.”

The economic development success stories are showcased from coast-to-coast. For example, one very rural county in Oregon has created jobs and improved their local tax base by aggressively pursuing renewable energy strategies such as the attraction of wind farms.

“Mayors, city councilors, economic development professionals, chamber executives, and civic volunteers across the country are looking for answers right now,” said Cole. “Building Communities presents success stories of how to do it and a methodology to implement it in their own community.”