Community Assessments Program
This program is designed to provide a quick, yet thorough, assessment of your community's readiness for economic development and recommendations on where to take action.
In partnership with the Kentucky Association for Economic Development, Blueprint Kentucky offers a program to assist economic development professionals and elected officials by assessing the potential for new economic opportunities.
In your report, you will receive an executive summary and final report highlighting the findings from assessments (outlined below), as well as a series of recommendations for elected officials, economic development professionals and other key leaders in the community. Blueprint Kentucky will also provide one presentation to key stakeholders highlighting the findings from the report and facilitate a conversation on “next steps,” if desired.
What We Assess about Your Community
Community Readiness
Each community's goals and plans are different. Our team will conduct a 1-day visit in your community to better understand the community's economic development goals and assets. The team will interview 2-3 key individuals to gauge the type of industry that leaders are trying to attract or more localized economic development strategies (business retention, business expansion, entrepreneurship). The team will also assess existing resources dedicated to these strategies. Specifically, we will assess or identify:
- A community's future economic development goals
- A city that the community is striving to be like (model community)
- Existing economic development strategies
- Assets dedicated to economic development (trained personnel, marketing resources, other organizations, etc.)
- Attitudes toward economic development
Data Collection & Analysis
Every good plan starts with understanding the environment. Access to reliable and time-sensitive data is critical for economic development success. These data should guide all policies and decisions. Our team will provide a comprehensive set of indicators that can be used to attract investment and economic activity (or opportunities for improvement).
- Current community online presence and community “reputation” (social media, etc.)
- Economic indicators and trends (industry, workforce, commuting patterns)
- Community quality of life indicators: housing, education, environment, recreation/shopping, healthcare, utilities (availability/stability/condition of system/long-term sustainability)
- Blueprint Kentucky will provide these data as they compare to the model community (see Community Readiness)
First Impressions Program
Envisioning the community from an outsider's perspective is a vital part to creating strong plans. Our team will coordinate a "secret shopper" to visit the community to assess both economic opportunities and quality of life conditions. Specifically, the visitors will assess:
- Availability and access to roads and other modes of transportation
- Availability and quality of cellphone service
- Availability and quality of communication (phone systems/internet/wireless/TV)
- Availability and access to aspects that contribute to employee quality of life:
• Quality and availability of types of housing
• Access to healthcare services
• Access to quality education
• Access to and condition of recreation facilities
• Availability of recreation programs
• Evidence of opportunities for civic life (civic groups/activities/programs)
Commitment
- $5,000 for counties with population up to 10,000.
- $6,000 for counties with population of 10,000 to 20,000.
- $7,500 for counties with population of 20,000 to 50,000.
- $10,000 for counties with population greater than 50,000.
