Exploring Your Region’s Economic &
Demographic Foundation
Module
Two
Session Overview
• Examine the current economic development
strategies being pursued within the region’s
communities or counties
• Explore the region’s demographic and
workforce features
• Deliverable: Assessment of the region’s
strengths and concerns
• HQP: Prepare a summary of key findings
Producing a High Quality Plan:
The Essential Components
EvidenceBased
Aligned with
Vision &
Goals
Practical
Team’s
Regional
Plan
Focused on
Regional
Economic
Development
Broadly
Supported
DEFINING ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT:
PROCEED WITH C.A.R.E.
Elements of Economic Development
Economy
• System for meeting the needs and
wants of people in a particular
geographic area
Development
• Improvement in the well-being
of residents in a particular
geographic area
Economic
Development
• An expansion of the
economic base through
efficient allocation and use
of available resources
GOAL: An improved quality of life for people in the region
Source: Barta, et al., 2010
The C.A.R.E. Model
Creation
Attraction
• Encourage the formation of
new businesses in the
region
• Recruit industries or
businesses to the region
C.A.R.E.
Retention
Expansion
• Maintain or strengthen
existing firms in the region
• Encourage the growth of
existing firms in the region
Group Activity
• Categorize activities using the
C.A.R.E. model
• Identify common activities, major
differences
• Examine the balance between
activities in each component of the
C.A.R.E. model
EXPLORING THE
DEMOGRAPHIC
FEATURES OF
YOUR REGION
Major Demographic Characteristics
Category
Key Variables of Interest
Population
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Population Size
Gender
Race & Ethnic Composition
Age Structure
Components of Population Change
Population Projections
Household & Housing
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Number of Households
Persons Per Household
Type of Households
Housing Tenure
Education & Income
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Educational Attainment
Geographic Mobility by Education
Median Household Income
Persons in Poverty
Health
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Mortality – Length of Life
Morbidity – How Healthy People Feel
For more data, go to: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html
Data Analysis Options
• Cross-sectional – look at data at
one point in time
• Comparative – examine data in
your county relative to other
counties
• Longitudinal – focus on changes
in the data over time
What to Look for
• Conditions the data describe
• Direction of change
• Intensity of change
• Comparison of counties in the region
• Overall picture the data paint
Your Turn – Dig In!
Your Region’s Workforce
 Skilled/unskilled
 Labor force participation
rate
 Unemployment rate
 Occupation mix
 Experience/age
Identifying Skills in the Region
INSERT YOUR
REGION’S CHART
LIKE THIS
EXAMPLE HERE
/
Evidence Based:
What Matters Most for the Regional Plan
•
•
•
•
Concerns
Assets
Significant trends
Other
Looking Ahead: Module Three
• Investigate the region’s economic
advantage
• Explore regional data to identify regional
industrial clusters
• Deliverable: Select industry clusters for
further exploration
• HQP: Draft a rationale for industries
selected
Preparing for Module Three
Final Thoughts
• Anything need clarification?
• SET contact persons:
 Extension Service:
 State USDA RD: