The Agurban from Boomtown Institute. Grow Your Own Economic Development Strategy

Increasingly, economic development experts are abandoning traditional approaches to economic development that rely on recruiting large enterprises with tax breaks, financial incentives, and other inducements. Instead, they are relying on building businesses from the ground up and supporting the growth of existing enterprises. This, according to a recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City entitled The Role of Small and Large Businesses in Economic Development http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=d7inkbcab.0.sgdsrbcab.yeim7ybab.3008&ts=S0257&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kc.frb.org%2Fpublicat%2Feconrev%2FPDF%2F2q07edmi.pdf , has a two-fold effect. The first is to develop and support entrepreneurs and small businesses. The second is to expand and improve infrastructure and to develop or recruit a highly skilled and educated workforce. Both efforts depend in large part on improving the quality of life in the community and creating an attractive business climate.

The study examined the economic development role of small businesses compared to large businesses. The study concluded that while large firms offer better jobs on average and contribute significantly to job creation and innovation, research and experience suggests that attempts to recruit large enterprises to a specific community are unlikely to be successful (because of competition from competing communities). And they are not likely to be cost- effective even if they are successful. In addition, an economic development strategy that focuses on a particular business or industry is very risky.

The study further concludes that concentrating on organic growth, or the growth of existing or "home- grown" businesses, is likely to be a much more successful strategy than the recruitment of new firms. Given the role of small businesses in employment growth, supporting entrepreneurs and budding businesses is also likely to be an effective strategy. The hope is that some of these small businesses can grow to become the large firms of tomorrow and offer the kinds of benefits that typically come with employment in a large firm.

Evidence increasingly suggests that the right approach is usually to focus on developing an attractive and supportive environment that might enable any business, whether small or large, to flourish. Many communities have had success in creating this environment. They have developed and fostered a high-quality workforce through great schools, community colleges, and universities. They have provided life-long learning opportunities; built and maintained high-quality public infrastructure; created a business climate with reasonable levels of taxation and regulation; and, through good government and quality amenities, have created the kinds of communities where highly educated and skilled people want to live and work.

So, it comes down, once again, to quality of life issues. Does your community have "an attractive and supportive environment that might enable any business, whether small or large, to flourish"?

The Blog Log
Visit my weblog to see where I’ve been and what I have learned along the way.

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

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:
Monday, July 9 – Greensburg, KS – Centera Bank
Tuesday, July 17 – Charleston, SC – AgFirst
Wednesday, July 25 – Ruleville, MS – Sunflower Medical Center

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.

email: [email protected]
phone: 217-342-3000
web: http://www.boomtowninstitute.com