Community & Economic Development
Community Development is a term that can refer to comprehensive strategies or small projects. Because the use of the term community development is used in such a wide range of situations, the idea of community development can be misunderstood.
In a similar way, Economic Development is a subject that can be misunderstood and one that people know very little about.
What is Community Development?
From a community perspective, community development includes nearly every type of purposeful community change. Creating purposeful change (development) of aspects of economy, health, physical infrastructure, governance, social needs or other aspects of living addressed at a collective (community) scale are expressions of community development.
Investments in community development are often intended to improve the quality of life for residents. Efforts to guide community development frequently start by assessing areas of needed change, or by identifying a preferred status the community would like to achieve. Results can include:
- A sense of pride and ownership in/for the community
- A healthier environment
- An engaged citizenry working in the interest of all the community
- Improved services for community residents
- Increased education opportunities
- Increased employment or wealth accumulation opportunities
- Overall improved quality of life
What is Economic Development?
Economic Development usually takes three forms in communities:
- Business Attraction
- Business Creation (Entrepreneurial Development)
- Business Retention and Expansion
All three forms of economic development aim to create new primary jobs that pay more than the prevailing wage, increase the amount of income coming into the community from outside its market area, and create greater capital investment in the community. The strategy is to achieve this in a number of diversified industries.
Economic development has three main purposes:
- To give a greater number of people greater access to wealth through personal economic growth.
- To increase the tax base of communities in order to provide higher quality public services to residents.
- To diversify the economic base and thereby cushion the community against economic shocks.
Economic Development Toolkit
Ready to dig a little deeper? Our Economic Development Toolkit will help skill up your economic development knowledge with several resources that you'll now have at your fingertips.
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Downtown Team Series
The Downtown Team Series is a publication and activity series that outlines the interests and roles of several community stakeholders that are working on community-level initiatives.
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Community Leadership Development Resources
Get started on facilitation, from leading a community forum to mapping stakeholder networks and identifying community assets.
Learn MoreWho is Involved in Community & Economic Development Locally?
Community scale changes benefit from representation from the community scale systems. Do you know which people in your community have roles to play in community and economic development (CED)? It is important to understand CED is a shared effort among several stakeholders, and extension can play a vital role. Here are just a few who may be in your community:
- Local government
- Civic groups
- Local business or Chamber of Commerce
- Economic development/banking or foundations
- Religious institutions
- Education systems (from primary and secondary to university/formal and informal)
- Health (can include public/private)
- Recreation
Development initiatives that impact everyone in a community are supported more broadly and more sustainably when the members of the community are represented and engaged in the process. While it is nearly impossible to have every person involved in every decision, it is generally true that people like to be involved in decisions that impact them. Thus, development initiatives should utilize processes that promote broad participation and strive for justice and sustainability.
CED Resources & Programs
Business Retention & Expansion
This program provides a better understanding of the local business climate through in-depth surveys of business owners.
Learn MoreFirst Impressions
The First Impressions Program will help your community learn about its strengths and shortcomings through the eyes of first-time visitors.
Learn MoreBludot Kentucky
Bludot is a web-based business retention and expansion platform for local economic development teams in communities. The platform is free for all Kentucky communities.
Learn MoreSizeUp Kentucky
SizeUp Kentucky provides business owners, start-ups and aspiring entrepreneurs with market research and business insights to help them make smarter decisions with data to effectively grow their business.
Learn MoreCommunity Assessments
Have your community assessed by expert economic developers and receive a comprehensive set of indicators that can be used to attract investment and economic activity as well as opportunities for improvement.
Learn MoreCustomized Analyses & Reporting
We offer studies, reports and technical assistance for community and industry stakeholders, using proprietary data sources, methods of analysis and GIS mapping capabilities.
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