A fundamental tenet of community economic development is that communities need to address their problems locally, and in a holistic and participatory manner. Local or distant forces may generate the problems, but the enterprises that address the problems—like the solutions themselves—are locally generated and self-governed. We work with proven and innovative approaches and models to help social and community entrepreneurs create answers that improve lives and community well-being.

Community Economic Development services include:

Organizational design and business model selection to fit your mission and philosophy, and engender full participation, community control, and organizational democracy

Set-up and development of community land trusts (CLTs) to provide permanently affordable, privately owned, community-governed housing, commercial space, and productive facilities

Design and set-up of local currency systems and resource banks (for tools, vehicles, equipment, ideas, and other community assets)

Consulting and business support for social entrepreneurs

Innovative models for community development corporations (CDCs)

Introductory seminars, training programs, and coaching in cooperative, collaborative decision-making models

Innovative business models, including customer stock ownership programs and private investment models for community land trusts

Design and implementation support for employee-owned businesses and employee stock ownership programs (ESOPs)

Youth entrepreneurship and business education programs for student clubs or schools

Design and set-up for incubator programs for businesses, microenterprises, nonprofits, or community economic development organizations

Facilitation and meeting management training

Networking and shared learning

Sample clients and projects

Three Rivers, a center for community development — Full range of startup services for this innovative, community-governed, model community development corporation (CDC). Also provided startup and support services to dozens of Three Rivers incubator clients.

Community Land Trust Investment Trust — Concept development for this vehicle to provide private investment for community land trust properties.

National Training Program in Consensus Decision-Making — Full startup, organizational support, and training services, including train-the-trainers and facilitator training components.

SMART Jobs — Concept development and startup services for a flexible manufacturing and marketing network component of a larger economic development effort focused on arts and other creative industries.