Introduction:
Traditionally local government economic development policy has focused on attracting new business through incentives and subsidies. Recognition that these economic development strategies often did not benefit low income residents or neighborhoods has led to development of new community economic development strategies to target investment and control to local neighborhoods.

These strategies require attention be given to the social capital context in the community - not just economic development concerns. Often initiated by non-profit community development corporations, these approaches have attracted increasing local government support as attention has shifted toward investing in local businesses and providing support for distressed neighborhoods and citizens.

Dr. Warner shares results of a recent nationwide survey on economic development strategies of local governments and provide case examples of how these innovative approaches reflect community development strategies based on understanding of social capital as well as economic development principles.

Click on the links below to view clips of Dr. Warner's discussion. Taped at the CaRDI-USDA Rural Development Training in November 2001.

All files are in Real format. Click here to download RealOne media player (look for the link for the free version).

View a powerpoint of this topic.

Watch the presentation in two longer clips, immediately below. Or click sections 1 - 16 for shorter, topic-based clips.

Part I (contains content of 1 - 9)
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Part II (contains content of 10 - 16)
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1. Introduction and Governance Trends
   (2 min 30 sec)
   Prof Warner introduces three trends in local government: decentralization, privatization, and social capital.
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2. Government Trends in Decentralization
   (1 min 27 sec)
   Decentralization pros and cons, funding contexts.
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3. Decentralization
   (1 min 28 sec)
   Local concerns with decentralization, concerns with elite control. Intro to privatization, benefits.
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4. Privatization
   (2 min 37 sec)
   Working with partnerships, explanation of the concept of "democratic deficit," governance structures for public-private partnerships, markets and consumer mentality.
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5. Social Capital Norms
   (3 min 09 sec)
   Concepts of social capital: norms of collaboration and exchange, networks and linkages, locally generated investment. Pros and cons.
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6. The Importance of Social Capital
   (3 min 33 sec)
   Why social capital is important in our communities.
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7. Program Autonomy
   (4 min 47 sec)
   Description of autonomy. Who "comes to the table" in community planning efforts? Recognizing differences in the autonomy and voice and of different groups. Structuring the discussion to strengthen the autonomy of all involved.
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8. Return on Investment (ROI)
   (3 min 09 sec)
   Professional interest vs. citizen interest in community involvement. Costs of participation.
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9. Linkage and Networks
   (5 min 37 sec)
   Wide or narrow networks affect the amount of information shared. Horizontal ties within the community. Vertical ties for policy change. Strong and weak ties. Meanings for community and rural development. Building partnerships, long term challenges.
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10. Survey Data
    (12 min 19 sec)
    Discussion of survey results: Business attraction and competitive bidding, alternative regional approach, strategic planning. Traditional approaches to economic development.
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11. New Approaches to Community Economic Development
    (2 min 41 sec)
    Economic Development Zones, Community Development Corporations and Loan Funds. Challenges and needs.
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12. The Private Sector
    (52 sec)
    Need to attract the private sector to community development projects.
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13. Community Strategic Planning
    (1 min 26 sec)
    Ask the question: What do we want our community to be? Weighing the issues early on to avoid pitfalls later on.
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14. Values
    (1 min 04 sec)
    What should our community be investing in? Costs and benefits of proposed projects.
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15. Innovation: Using the New Tools
    (4 min 46 sec)
    Examples: financing, financial services for the "unbanked." Social entrepreneurship.
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16. Early Education Partnership
    (8 min 16 sec)
    Description of a collaborative effort in Tompkins County, NY to financially support day care for parents and providers.
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