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South Texas Rural Economic Development Project

South Texas Rural Economic Development Project. Kickoff Meeting 1-27-10. Welcome and Introductions. George Bennack, Executive Director for Business and Rural Development. Project Team. Project Director, Cristina Trejo-Vasquez Project Advisor, Brian Kelsey Project Analyst, Michael Uhrbrock

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South Texas Rural Economic Development Project

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  1. South Texas Rural Economic Development Project Kickoff Meeting 1-27-10

  2. Welcome and Introductions George Bennack, Executive Director for Business and Rural Development

  3. Project Team • Project Director, Cristina Trejo-Vasquez • Project Advisor, Brian Kelsey • Project Analyst, Michael Uhrbrock • Rural Development Specialist, Rene Montalvo • Data Specialist, Sai Mullapudi • GIS Specialist, Isaac Longoria • Student Researchers: • Sylvia Quinones, Edgar Cantu, Elpidio Yanez, Emily Corker, Edna Martinez, Laura Gonzalez

  4. Strategy Committee • The Strategy Committee is composed of key community leaders with significant experience and insight related to the issues confronting rural communities in South Texas.

  5. Meeting Objectives Cristina Trejo-Vasquez, Project Director

  6. Objectives • Formalize Committee • Introduce project team • Provide orientation • Answer questions • Discuss Next Steps

  7. Agenda • Welcome and Introductions • Meeting Objectives • Project Overview • Committee Roles and Responsibilities • Asset Mapping Framework • The Strategic Planning Process • Project Discussion and Next Steps

  8. Project Overview Michael Uhrbrock, Project Analyst

  9. Project Background • UTPA applied for and received funds from USDA • Develop an asset map and rural economic development strategy for small, rural communities in the Rio Grande Valley • 1 year project, Nov. 2009 to Oct. 2010 • Pilot project for national demonstration

  10. Project Tasks • Form a Regional Rural Strategy Committee • Develop an asset map • Identify gap areas and opportunities in rural communities • Create a regional rural economic development plan • Create a structure to build the capacity of rural leaders, farmers, and producers

  11. Community Selection Criteria • 1) Population below 20,000 persons • 2) poverty rate of 10% or more • 3) median household income less than $30,000 • 4) not contiguous with a metropolitan area with a population of more than 20,000 persons

  12. Target Communities

  13. Committees Roles & Responsibilities Rene Montalvo, Rural Development Specialist

  14. Strategic Leadership Committee • Guides development of the asset map and economic development plan • give input on assets • review and provide feedback • participate in strategic planning sessions • help publicize and market the project • meet 4 times throughout project

  15. Working Lunch

  16. Asset Mapping Framework Brian Kelsey, Project Advisor

  17. What is an Asset Map? • Identifies the assets a region has that can be leveraged for workforce and economic development • What assets (human, intellectual, financial, physical, institutional capital) do we have? • How do we compare to other areas? • What are the gaps? • Provides understanding of networks and cultural attitudes • Provides baseline to judge future progress • Base for strategic planning

  18. Asset Identification • Review existing studies, media stories, and economic development marketing materials for communities • Conduct interviews with committee and stakeholders • Collect and analyze data from public sources • Prepare community profiles

  19. Data to be Collected • Demographics • Businesses/Clusters • Specialized workforce • Innovation metrics • Infrastructure • Key players • Networks

  20. Strategic Planning Cristina Trejo-Vasquez

  21. Analysis: Challenges and Opportunities • Conduct SWOT analysis • Conduct public forums to facilitate citizen participation

  22. Goals and Objectives • Define regional expectations • Identify strategic issues most likely to impact the economic future of rural communities • Set forth goals and objectives necessary to: 1. Enhance opportunities 2. Capitalize on the region’s resources and assets

  23. Strategic Projects, Programs, Activities • Identify and prioritize vital projects and programs designed to implement the goals and objectives • Consider current and future funding sources • Consider partnerships, collaborative ventures, etc.

  24. Plan of Action • Create strategies for the implementation of projects, programs and activities • Establish performance measures used to evaluate progress toward achieving the goals identified as important for the region’s development

  25. Next Steps

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