Is Networking Always the Answer? Networking among Community Colleges to Increase their Capacity in Business Outreach

This article examines how community colleges can become more proactive partners in local economic development. It focuses on how networking can help community colleges in building their capacity in this relatively new area of intervention. Three community colleges that are members of such a network—the Consortium for Manufacturing Competitiveness—are examined. The author concludes that the preexisting capacity and local and state government support of the two successful colleges were as important as the network in determining their success. The barriers to effective business outreach are discussed, and recommendations for community colleges conclude the article.