Growing interest in the future
David Beurle - Posted 9 December 2009

There seems to be a recent and powerful shift occurring in people’s interest about the future. I have just finished a series of workshops across USA (Nevada, Iowa, and Idaho), Canada (Prince Rupert, Vancouver, Prince Edward Island) and Ireland. I was struck by the keen interest people now have in the future – they are really wrestling with how the world might look, and where will their region fit into what is certain to be a very different landscape. I guess this is human nature – when it is all falling apart, we can’t focus on the future in a constructive way. However, now that things seem to be stabilizing; people are lifting their heads and looking forward in a way I have never seen before. I think the critical challenge for regional leaders will be how do we make sense of this changed world that has different values, new assumptions, and shifting power and financial principles? There is no doubt – the world we are heading into is very different from the one we are coming from. To prosper we will have to be nimble, adaptable and insightful.

Rural Entrepreneurs: It is as it was
Juliet Fox - Posted 8 December 2009

As rural community leaders are turning to entrepreneurial development strategies to stimulate economic growth, it is occurring to them that this is what we are good at! Rural areas have a legacy of entrepreneurism and small business ownership and were founded with innovators such as traders, craftsman and farmers. Today, we are seeing this heritage of entrepreneurial spirit re-emerge. Consider the story of a small town Wisconsin stay-at-home mom, who started making baby towels at home for a little extra cash and with the help of her community has transformed this hobby into a multi-million dollar Internet business (www.bigdotofhappiness.com). Was her community support system a complex plan of technical assistance, training, funding, networking or policy? No - It was much more messy than that. Much like early pioneers, she relied on her network of family and friends for support and didn’t expect success for every effort. It is a great reminder that community and economic development are messy, dynamic and adventurous processes – and we are all entrepreneurs for our communities in these changing times.

Trailer parks and big business
Juliet Fox - Posted 7 December 2009

I heard a great story the other day (I know, this is how all great stories start) about a community dialogue that had diverse groups of people working on what they would like to see their community improve on. The organizers had done a great job in stocking the room with people that represent the community from every aspect that they could perceive. When in groups they got right to work, apparently without introductions. It turns out that the president of one of the biggest companies in town was sitting at the same table with a woman that lived in the local trailer-park. The president stated that he would like to see the trailer-park removed. In fear, the woman said nothing and sat there for a long time, when she finally felt she had to defend her only home. She tapped him on the arm and very quietly said, “Please don’t take away the trailer-park, that is where I live and it is the only place that I can afford”. After many moments of silence, the group rallied to the cause and talked about the needs of the community that this trailer-park represents. These identified, they decided to create a program where the residents could purchase the trailer-park that they currently rented. The community helped them spruce the area up and the owners had great pride caring for their own home. We have seen these kinds of stories around the globe – from sand mine owners and environmentalist crafting a community green plan, to interventions in communities riddled with drug issues and public deliberations in the US, in Russia, in Ghana and South Africa. Dialogue heals and bridges the gap to mutual respect and understanding. Our global world challenges require that we cross social barriers and embrace our best collective thinking – for our communities’ sake.