Stronger Economies Together SET Strategies for Building New

Stronger Economies Together (SET) Strategies for Building New Economic Opportunities SET VII Applications 1

Purpose of SET Help rural communities/counties work together as a regional team in developing and implementing A High Quality Regional Economic Development Plan that builds on the current and emerging economic strengths of their region. 2

SET: Participating States 3

SET Organization

Support Structure for SET Regions State Resource Team SET National Team 5

State Resource Team Coaches Training: To be determined Application: Planning: Implementing: Recruit Facilitate Sessions Guide Process Visit At least 3 people: 1 RD 1 CES Evaluate 1 other Recommend Guide Planning Coach Writing Develop Leadership Connect Resources

New Streamlined Process Implementing Success Defining Assets and Barriers Examining Economic Data Launching SET through Civic Engagement Exploring In. Depth Regional Advantages & Opportunities Establishing the Plan

Estimated Time Commitment for SRT: One Year Period Function State’s planning/recruiting region(s) Region’s SET planning period Region’s implementation phase National level reporting Evaluating Providing technical assistance Number Hours 40 as a state 120 per region 100 per region 40 as a state 10 per region 20 per region

Support for the Work • Funding: $26, 400 per region • Data Reports tailored to each region • Training for Coaching Team • Monthly Calls with Coaching Team • National and regional coaching support SRDC Coaching Visits SET Funding Coordination Monthly Calls Purdue Data Reports Data Assistance Monthly Calls USDA RD Coaching Visits Funding Guidance Monthly Calls

SET’s Value to Regions

What SET Provides Regional Teams Coaching Hands on stepby-step process for building or enhancing regional plans Data & Analysis Technical Assistance Peer-to-Peer Networking Detailed demographic & socio-economic information Coaching implementation of the plan Monthly calls with State Resource Team Members Access to special expertise Webinars on relevant topics Data and analysis on current and emerging clusters More in-depth cluster analysis

Value of SET to the Region Item Value Operating Fund (per region) $26, 400 Data Reports (fair market value) $15, 000 SRT Support (minimum estimate per region) $60, 000 TOTAL NOTE: Does not include the value of the curriculum development nor the support of the national team. $101, 400

What SET Has Accomplished Leveraging 154: 1 Partnership Growth 192%

The Application Process: Three Steps

Step One: State Application • Identify State Resource Team • Articulate the plan for recruiting regions • Signature of support: • Rural Development State Director • Cooperative Extension Service Director/Administrator

Step Two: Regional Applications • Three or more contiguous counties • 51% rural • Priority Points: Economically Distressed • Important: Must be regional interest

Understanding the Rural Definition 51% or more of the region's population is classified as rural OR 75% of the region's land area is located in rural areas of that region. http: //srdc. msstate. edu/set 1/definitionrural. html 17

Priority Points: Economically Distressed Regions with at least one county that has: • A per capita income of 80% or less of the national average and/or • Has an unemployment rate that is at least 1 percent greater than the national average unemployment rate for the most recent 24 -month period for which data are available

Priority Points: Finding Data http: //www. statsamerica. org/distress. aspx • Select your state, then select your proposed counties one at a time and click “add county” until all appear in the box. • Click Distress Report to see Economic Distress Criteria Primary Elements.

Step Three: Site Visits Purposes: • Ensure that regions understand SET • Select sites that are most likely to benefit • Clarify expectations for the regions • Help coaches prepare for working with the regions

Timeline • Jan. 20, State Applications Due • Jan. 30, States Announced • Feb. 1, 11: 30 Central - Webinar for selected states • April 6, Regional Applications Due • Coaches’ Training - TBD • Late April, Regions Announced • SET Planning Phase: 6 -7 months • SET Launching Phase: 6 -7 months

Your Turn: Question and Answers 22

Who to Contact? Rachel Welborn Southern Rural Development Center Rachel. welborn@msstate. edu 662. 325. 5885 Hiwot Gebremariam USDA Rural Development Hiwot. Gebremariam@wdc. usda. gov 202. 690. 4749 http: //srdc. msstate. edu/set/ 23