The Stronger Economies Together (SET)
Initiative: An Introduction
Module One
The Challenge in Rural America
“I have reached the conclusion that we must overhaul
our approach to economic development in rural
America. The framework of the new effort recognizes
that the rural economy of tomorrow will be a regional
economy. No one community will prosper in isolation.”
Tom Vilsack
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
The Response: SET
Purpose of SET
Help rural communities/counties to
work together as a regional team in
developing and implementing an
economic development blueprint
that builds on the current and
emerging economic strengths of
their region.
Partnerships: Key to the Success of SET
USDA RD
USDA NIFA
RRDCs
State USDA RD
Office
University of
Cincinnati
External
Evaluation
Team
Other State
Agencies &
Organizations
National
Design and
Training
Team
National
Land-Grant
University
Extension
Service
State Partner
Team & State
Training
Delivery
Team
Citizen-Based
Regional Team
County/Regional
Extension
Educators
Local
Two Key SET Groups in Your State
State Partner Team
• Composed of state/regional agencies and
institutions
• Anchored by USDA RD & Extension Service
• Oversees and guides the SET initiative
State Training Team
• Drawn from the State Partner Team
• Includes people with expertise in conducting
training with local groups
• Delivers the SET program to the regions
States Currently Part of SET
26 States
What SET Provides Regional Teams
Training
35-40 hours of
on-site training
Hands-on,
step-by-step
process for
building or
enhancing
regional plans
Data &
Analysis
Detailed
demographic
and socioeconomic
information
Data and
analysis on
current and
emerging
clusters
Technical
Assistance
Guidance in
implementing
the plan
Access to
individuals
with special
expertise
More in-depth
cluster
analysis
Peer-to-Peer
Networking
Monthly calls
with State
Partner and
Training Team
Members
Webinars on
key topics of
relevance to
multiple
regions
SET Core Training Modules
The Basics
The SET
Initiative:
An Introduction
Profiling Your
Region
Gearing Up
Building a
Strong
Regional Team
Developing
Your Vision and
Goals
Resources
& Strategies
Focusing on
Regional
Comparative
Advantage
Moving
Into Action
Planning for
Success
Exploring
Strategies for
Enhancing the
Regional
Economy
Discovering
Assets &
Barriers
Measuring for
Success
Regional Approach: Key Benefits
Promotes the three Cs:
 Conversation
 Connection
 Capacity
Source: Council on Competitiveness (2010)
Sounds Great. What’s Expected?
Establish a regional team that is committed to:
• Taking an active part in the entire SET training
• Getting a diversity of people and organizations across
the region to provide input on the regional plan
• Working to produce and implement a high quality
regional economic development plan
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
Interested? Next Steps
• Get a copy of the SET
application
• Invite people from
contiguous counties (and
their communities) to
review the application
• If interested, form a
regional team
• Complete and submit the
application
Final Thoughts
• Anything need clarification?
• Other questions about SET?
• SET contact persons:
 Extension Service:
 State USDA RD: