By Ella Hanson
Economic challenges are often compounded by limited resources and capacity to seek aid and investment -- especially in rural communities. This cycle was particularly salient in recent years as local governments and organizations competed for federal grants. Building connections with community partners enabled many regions to successfully secure federal funding. Looking ahead, this period of ecosystem building and collaboration offers as a valuable lesson about the power of collaborative economic development -- especially during periods of limited opportunity.
The panel “Building the Capacity to Implement Place-Based Policy in the Context of Distress” featured Colby Hall, Executive Director of Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR); Rebecca Kuzma, Chief Operating Officer of Strengthening Stark; Josiah Hannah, Community Impact Director for Coalfield Development; and Mike French, Clallam County Commissioner in Washington. The panel was moderated by Matthew Lee, Associate professor of Public Policy and Management at the Harvard Kennedy School.
There were three main takeaways from the discussion.
- Effective, well-managed organizations can deliver programs to the community
Many organizations lack the staffing and resources needed to scale their initiatives. Josiah Hannah shared that Coalfield Development has expanded its Workforce Readiness and Professional Success (WRAPS) program by partnering with eleven non-profits. Coalfield Development provides these non-profits with technical and financial support to train and hire residents facing employment barriers. By collaborating with other organizations, Coalfield has been able to utilize resources more efficiently to provide employment services to residents across Appalachia.
The panelists also emphasized the importance of federal grants in expanding organizational capacity. For instance, SOAR was able to hire 40 people in the past three months with the help of Recompete Grant funds. In addition, panelists noted the importance of unrestricted philanthropic funding and earned revenue in supporting their work.
- The importance of trust and willingness to participate in programs
Improving the economic outcomes of local residents requires organizations to address more than just employment needs. Rebecca Kuzma discussed the importance of identifying the social determinants of work to address the variety of factors contributing to poverty. She also shared that many residents in her community were unaware of the resources already available to them. Strengthening Stark is now focused on raising awareness about wraparound support services.
- Building an ecosystem of organizations that trust one another and collaborate towards a common goal
Relationship building and collaboration are essential to maximizing the impact of economic development efforts. Panelists acknowledged that community organizations have historically been forced to compete for scarce resources, which in some instances has led to tension and territoriality. To be most effective, organizations have first had to resolve longstanding conflicts before moving towards cooperation. By bringing together diverse actors, including academic institutions, non-profits, business leaders, and government officials, organizations can begin to rebuild trust and foster collaboration.
The panelists also stressed the value of understanding community partners’ work. In this spirit, Coalfield Development has started inviting for-profit companies to their monthly meetings to form connections and explore opportunities for partnership. Rebecca Kuzma noted that organizations in her community have identified community delegates to share information with residents and build local support.
While federal funding has enabled organizations to grow and build capacity, many are now preparing to look to the future and sustain their work. Panelists suggested that organizations increase their focus on coalition building, which requires fewer financial resources and better positions them to act when new opportunities arise. In addition, panelists shared that small non-profits can reduce costs by sharing resources in a co-op structure (accountants, HR, et cetera).
Matthew Lee closed out the discussion with a quote from Into the Woods – “Opportunity is not a lengthy visitor.” Organizations that invest in building strong relationships across their community will be best positioned to take advantage of future opportunities.
