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Community visioning and strategic planning programs have become increasingly important in recent years as local governments in rural areas have searched for innovative ways to revitalize their local economies or manage population growth. A panel of experts describes local government programs in ten states. They also evaluate the effectiveness in reaching the vision and objective set forth in these programs. The authors examine the main components of each program and offer insights into factors contributing to its success. Major attention is paid to the need for social capital, benchmarking, and continuing support following the initial efforts. The discussion in the book includes recommendations for starting a community strategic visioning exercise.
List of contents
Foreword
Preface
Introduction
Rural Issues and Trends: The Role of Strategic Visioning Programs by Norman Walzer and Steven Deller
Essential Elements of Strategic Visioning by Janet Ayres
The Agency-Community Relationship in Strategic Visioning Programs: Issues and Profiles in Program Design by Harold L. Fossum
Measuring Success and Empowerment by Cornelia Butler Flora, Jan L. Flora, and Kim Wade
Preconditions for Successful Program Implementation by Michael D. Woods
The Role of Organizations in Community-Based Development by Alice Schumaker
Continuing Support Practices and Documenting Results of Community Strategic Visioning Programs by Gary P. Green and Steven Deller
Participant Evaluation of Strategic Visioning Programs by John J. Gruidl
Emerging Principles in Local and State Economic Development: A Benchmarking Tool by Lee W. Munnich, Jr.
Implementing Strategic Visioning Programs in Rural Communities by Steven Kline
Common Elements of Successful Programs by Norman Walzer
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
About the author
NORMAN WALZER is Professor of Economics and Director of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University. He is the editor or coeditor of the following titles:
Rural Health Care (Praeger, 1992),
Rural Community Economic Development (Praeger, 1991), and
Financing Rural Health Care (Praeger, 1988).
