The Role Of Community Wide Input In Defining Economic Development Strategies And Plans: A Case Study Of An Agrarian Community

This case study describes the process by which a county-based Extension Educator used a survey process to help focus and facilitate local stakeholders who were concerned about economic development challenges. A small committee's involvement in the survey design created a forum and focus for the committee to think carefully and thoughtfully about potential options and strategies, rather than simply making the global statement that economic development is a priority. Although the survey design did not meet the highest standards of scientific scrutiny, it is argued that the results (a) were intuitively on target (b) provide more information than would have otherwise been the case (c) stimulate discussions and community dialogues that will lead to a greater chance for consensus and buy-in and (d) generate a community decision making process that is ultimately better informed, more transparent andthoughtful.