The Stronger Economies Together (SET) Initiative: An Introduction

Agenda

1. What is SET?– Motivation of program– Mechanics of the program– Benefits of program

2. What is required to apply?

3. Q & A

The Challenge in Rural America

“I have reached the conclusion that we must overhaul our approach to economic development in rural America. The framework of the new effort recognizes that the rural economy of tomorrow will be a regional economy. No one community will prosper in isolation.”

Tom Vilsack

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

The Response: SET

SET National Sponsors

• USDA-RD is providing funding to cover coaching expenses

• SRDC, PCRD are providing data and technical assistance

Purpose of SET

Help rural communities/counties to work together as a regional team in developing and implementing an economic development blueprint that builds on the current and emerging economic strengths of their region.

What SET Provides Regional Teams

Training Data & Analysis

Technical Assistance

Peer-to-Peer Networking

SET Core Training Modules

Technical Assistance Partners

Sounds Great. What’s Expected?

Establish a regional team that is committed to:

• Taking an active part in the entire SET training

• Getting a diversity of people and organizations across the region to provide input on the regional plan

• Working to produce and implement a high quality regional economic development plan

Producing a High Quality Plan: The Essential Components

• Valuable coaching on core building blocks to serve as a foundation for the HQP

• In-depth data tailored to the region to delineate and identify critical drivers of the region’s economy

• Tools to uncover local assets and resources that can be tapped for plan implementation

Key Benefits

Key Benefits (cont’d.)

• Limited amount of technical assistance (up to 40 hrs during the year following completion of HQP) to assist with implementation

• Opportunity to network with other regions across the US involved with SET

Phase 1 Outcomes

• State and Federal Grants

• Increased capacity to determine the region’s economic development opportunities

• Engaged more individuals and a more diverse set of individuals in economic development planning

What OK Participants Are Saying“Antlers has several talented people . . . but these individuals expressed the general sentiment that they have tried [economic development] in the past and been disappointed. We then discovered "Stronger Economies Together", led by Tom Smith for Pushmataha County. Overnight we moved from a green struggling effort to the start of a professional regional economic organization which now gives us creditability. Already people are starting to believe if we can join together and build this organization good things are possible. Thank you for bringing this opportunity to Pushmataha County.” J. Stephens

“I have been made of aware of the huge percentage of money that flows out of this region of Oklahoma for goods and services instead of staying here to benefit  our economy.” D. Russell

Who Should Apply?

• SET is particularly appropriate for newly formed regions

• Other regions can still benefit:– Groups who have been inactive, changing

mission/purpose– Groups who lack organization or are

struggling to implement previous plans

Who Should Apply? (Cont’d.)5 characteristics to successful SET regions:

1.Embrace regional strategies

2.Open to focusing on key clusters

3.Involve a diversity of people and institutions

4.Take a fresh look at the region, where it’s going, how it might get there

5.Devote significant time and energy to develop and implement HQP

What is required to apply?• 3 or more contiguous counties

• Region must be rural:– 51% of population counted as rural by

Census, OR– 75% of land area designated rural– Only Oklahoma and Tulsa Counties do

not qualify!– http://srdc.msstate.edu/set/files/phase3/oklahoma.xlsx

Applications

• Available online:http://okextdevres.blogspot.com (May 6, 2013)

• Due June 24, 2013 to Ryan McMullen: ryan.mcmullen@ok.usda.gov

Application Components• Economic Description of Region:

– Why do the counties identified constitute a region?

– Describe the economy of the region

• History of Collaboration within the Region

• Challenges of Implementing Plan

• Interest in SET

• Team Membership (w/ letters)

Questions?

Dave Shideler

405-744-6170

Dave.shideler@okstate.edu