The Agurban from Boomtown Institute "Characteristics of Catalytic Community Development" Issue 103, Nov. 28, 2006

Characteristics of Catalytic Community Development

In "Challenges for Rural America in the Twenty- First Century", authors Kenneth Pigg and Ted Bradshaw, outline a new model of community development, catalytic development. The catalytic development model focuses on mobilizing local talent and leveraging local resources and networks to find local solutions, and ultimately foster development in and of communities.

This issue of The Agurban covers the characteristics of catalytic community development:

Capacity-Building: Community developers must be the foundation that facilitates planning and has the ability to implement those plans, interacting with a broader network of individuals and resources.

Empowerment: Citizens must be given a voice in decision making and the means to achieve goals.

Collaboration: This characteristic is imperative when problems exceed the capacity of one organization. Collaboration includes communication, forming networks and cooperative relationships. It requires that organizations be able to recognize and manage their interdependence, while creating links between different interests.

Expanded Locus of Activity: Communities must look beyond their immediate borders at regional development opportunities.

Open Access to Information: Information from state and federal government, universities, and nonprofit organizations need to be openly available to all communities.

Comprehensive, Not Categorical: Development activities must be comprehensive, not categorical. Comprehensive community development should be administered seamlessly.

As the Rural Sociological Society brief states, “These six characteristics are continually evolving and reorganizing. They are also interrelated. Although not an exhaustive list, it serves as a starting point in reimagining community development.”

Are your community development organizations based on these characteristics? If not, can you see the difference it would make if they were?

Thanks to the Rural Sociological Society Issue Brief, Catalytic Community Development, for reporting on this approach to community and economic development.

The Blog Log

Visit my weblog to see where I’ve been and what I learned along the way. This week I blogged on community bank growth, Show Low, AZ and Ponca City, OK as well as several other topics. http://www.boomtowninstitute.com

On the Road Again

In addition to my travel blog I’ll list my upcoming engagements in each issue of The Agurban. Come see me when I’m in your neighborhood!

Jack’s Schedule – Week of November 27, 2006

Tuesday, November 28 – Harlan, IA

Wednesday, November 29 – Edwardsville, IL

Thursday, November 30 – Topeka, KS

Hot Topics

This month’s Hot Topic, Focus on Gen X, looks at reasons and ways your community can reach out to this demographic. Check it out at http://www.boomtowninstitute.com.

Perfect for Christmas Gift Giving! Boomtown Institute’s ABC Volume One, Enriching Your Community One Letter at a Time! Order today at http://www.boomtowninstitute.com. Quantity discounts available!

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Jack Schultz is the CEO of Boomtown Institute and Agracel Inc., an industrial development firm majoring in rural America, author of Boomtown USA, and speaker. Boomtown Institute serves as an economic development mentor to communities across the United States, leading communities to realize their full potential.

Visit the Boomtown Institute website at http://www.boomtowninstitute.com

Keep up with Jack as he tours the country on his blog!
To learn more about Agracel visit http://www.agracel.com.