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Economic Development Organizations Leverage Census Data
Attracting, retaining and growing new businesses is not impossible during these hard economic times when you have Census data. Economic development practitioners around the country utilize census reports to enhance decisions around infrastructure and resources as well as site selection, planning and business development. Census data is also leveraged to influence local private investment, conduct market research, determine availability of a skilled workforce and understand consumer needs.
Economic development leaders are already planning and organizing in preparation for the results of the 2010 Census.
Joel West, Department Head of Planning and Landscape Architecture at Yaggy Colby Associates, in the greater Milwaukee area, worked closely with a small business owner and community leaders to determine the optimal size of a hardware store in Minnesota after a flood.
“No one wanted the business to be too large, but no one knew how big the business should be to support the community. Using census data, we were able to decide what that size was and the bank in the community was willing to invest in the expansion,” said West.
West also points out that the census data is a valuable tool for a small community to see how they fit into the larger regional picture. “The Census helps cities and regions focus on things that are doable. Smaller areas often miss the boat on investments that they could attract, while they are focusing on investments that are out of their reach.”
Leaders in large cities such as Philadelphia are also working closely to ensure that the 2010 Census provides the foundation for the cities first comprehensive plan in 50 years. City leaders have been emphasizing the importance of the census through its Philly Counts! campaign urging residents to participate. Leaders are looking to validate that Philadelphia has in fact started to grow in population again for the first time in many years, which is a key part of their strategic plan.
But smaller communities across the country are also engaging in regional planning activities that will better position them to digest and use the census results. The Rockingham Economic Development Corporation (REDC), which serves communities across Southern New Hampshire, has also actively engaged in its regional strategic planning activities to coincide with the 2010 Census.
REDC Executive Director Laurel Bistany recognizes that their communities have long suffered from an outmigration of workers ages 25-44. They are actively involved in promoting the census to ensure that they don’t lose federal dollars and a possible representative – but also looking forward to using the census data to see where progress has been made in this area and where they need to continue to go.
“It’s important for us to have a true sense of the picture…and ensure that we don’t lose our voice,” said Bistany. “Our huge planning effort right now is focused on looking at how we engage that 25-44 workforce population. The census is a powerful tool…and will help us define strategies to create more jobs for that workforce in this community.”
In short, understanding population shifts and changing demographics allows state and local officials, economic development organizations and community leaders to better understand how to create sustainable economic opportunities for their communities. Through organizing aggressive strategic planning activities and partnerships now, regional leaders will be better positioned to creating and implementing a path for economic recovery and growth.
