NADO.org » Publications

Regional Resilience

Matt Black — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:44:29 +0000

The Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Rural Futures Lab™ and the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Research Foundation Release New Report on Assessing Current Policy and Practice Relating to Regional Resilience

The NADO Research Foundation is pleased to announce the release of a new special report, Regional Resilience. The issue brief summarizes recent research and practice on economic and community resiliency, including a potential framework for regional development organizations to use in preparing and responding to economic shocks.

Disasters, whether natural or man-made disasters, often know no boundaries and a community’s ability to recover is mostly determined by its capacity to respond to the magnitude and severity of the event. A resilient region anticipates threats, develops resources to reduce their impact, responds appropriately, and recovers. A resilient approach extends beyond emergency responsiveness by utilizing advanced planning and leadership to address vulnerabilities and support vibrant, healthy communities.

In partnership with Rupri and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), NADO is working to assist regions in taking a more pro-active approach to pre-disaster preparedness and post-disaster economic recovery. Through partnerships and training, NADO is working with regional development organizations (RDOs) and other partners to explore methods to hasten post-disaster economic recovery and reduce the long-term financial burden of disasters (natural disasters as well as economic disasters) on impacted communities, businesses, and individuals.

View the New Rupri-NADO Report on Regional Resilience (pdf)

The NADO Research Foundation, the nonprofit research affiliate of the National Association of Development Organizations, identifies, studies, and promotes regional solutions and approaches to improving local prosperity and services through the nationwide network of RDOs. For more information or to access these and other reports online, visit www.NADO.org or contact Program Manager Matt Black at 202.624.7809 or mblack@nado.org.

This report was produced under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) under cooperative agreement 08-79-04379. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations do not necessarily reflect the views of EDA.

(March 1, 2012)

Inland Ports: Linking Freight and Regional Economic Development

Carrie Kissel — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:56:44 +0000

In July 2011, the NADO Research Foundation released the report Inland Ports: Linking Freight and Regional Economic Development (PDF). This report highlights examples where intermodal facilities connecting rail and truck streamline freight movement and position their regions for economic impact. Facilities in Auburn, Maine; Rochester, Illinois; and Bismarck, North Dakota are creating new opportunities for economic development and job creation in the field of distribution and logistics.

View the report here.

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Regional Food Systems Infrastructure

Kathy Nothstine — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:24:03 +0000

Regional Food Systems Infrastructure (PDF)

Many regional development organizations (RDOs) and councils of governments are exploring how they can support regional food systems infrastructure. In recent years, an emphasis on eating locally grown food has flourished as many Americans have sought to direct more of their food-purchasing budget to producers located closer to home. However, significant barriers prevent small and mid-sized farmers and ranchers from connecting with the expanding base of consumers who seek locally grown food. Many regions lack the transportation and distribution network required to support area producers.

This report describes the role of RDOs in supporting regional farmers, processors and distributors. Promoting small- and mid-size agricultural operations offers numerous benefits to a region, including sustained economic development, protection for regional farmland and rural landscapes, and reduced vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and greenhouse gas emissions. By developing partnerships with area farmers and other stakeholders, RDOs can help to develop regional food systems infrastructure that will support economic development initiatives and other program goals.

Connecting the DOTs

Carrie Kissel — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 21:40:03 +0000

The NADO Research Foundation is pleased to announce the release of a new special report by David Cole, former commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation and the former CEO of the Eastern Maine Development Corporation (EMDC). CONNECTING THE D•O•T•S, A Guide for Connecting with Your Department of Transportation (PDF, September 2011) is an entertaining yet highly informative guidebook for creative problem solving, building stronger state and local partnerships, and understanding the unique opportunities that transportation and economic development projects bring to regions and communities.

Cole uses his personal experiences from the state DOT and regional economic development worlds to tell a story and to share several important life lessons and takeaways. As Cole quotes from a Maine DOT engineer, “all it takes is ‘one angry man with a laptop’ to significantly impede forward progress.” We hope this new special report will help policy makers, practitioners and other stakeholders think differently about the challenges and opportunities ahead for the nation and our local communities.

View the report at http://www.nado.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Cole_ConnectDOTs.pdf.

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Regional Approaches to Sustainable Development

Kathy Nothstine — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:58:22 +0000

The NADO Research Foundation has released a new report, Regional Approaches to Sustainable Development: Linking Economic, Transportation, and Environmental Infrastructure in Rural and Small Metropolitan America. Regional development organizations (RDOs) working in all types of communities across the country are designing and implementing strategies to create stronger, more dynamic, more resilient regional economies that are based on quality of place. Featuring case studies from California, Michigan, North Carolina, and Utah, this report highlights the opportunities available to RDOs to undertake sustainable development initiatives using a systems-based approach. View the report here (PDF).

Growing Rural Innovation-Based Economies: Kansas Opportunity Innovation Network

Carrie Kissel — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:31:00 +0000

The NADO Research Foundation released two new reports in September 2011 that highlight the efforts of work being done through the Kansas Opportunity Innovation Network (KOIN). KOIN is a joint initiative by Kansas State University’s Advanced Manufacturing Institute (an Economic Development Administration-designated University Center), the state’s Economic Development Districts, and other partners to increase the number of globally competitive products and services produced in Kansas rural communities. The story of KOIN is presented in two parts, a case study overview and more detailed description of steps performed and visualizations created to better understand regional economic development. These reports were produced in partnership with the EDA Know Your Region project.

View the reports: Growing Rural Innovation-Based Economies: Kansas Opportunity Innovation Network

Part 1: Case Study Overview (PDF)

Part 2: Special Report (PDF)

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Mobilize Maine: Asset-Based Regional Economic Development

Kathy Nothstine — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:08:03 +0000

The NADO Research Foundation has released a new report, Mobilize Maine: Asset-Based Regional Economic Development. Led by the state’s Economic Development Districts, Mobilize Maine is a proactive approach to revitalizing the economy by drawing on regional assets. This report highlights the efforts of the Northern Maine Development Commission and the Eastern Maine Development Corporation to collaborate with public- and private-sector stakeholders to leverage and align their resources to shape regional economic development. This report was produced in partnership with the EDA Know Your Region project. View the report here (PDF).

Transit and Air Quality Make a Connection

Jonathan — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:27:05 +0000

This issue paper highlights how many regional development organizations are increasingly looking to public transportation as a way to resolve commuting challenges in their region, which has not only impacted rural and small metropolitan communities economically, but has also made an impact on the environment.

Released April 2007, 4 pages

Click here to view Transit and Air Quality Make a Connection” (PDF).

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Ethanol Production Impacts Transportation System

Jonathan — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:22:52 +0000

The NADO Research Foundation’s Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development has released this news issue brief which examines the regional and local transportation impacts of the ethanol fuels industry.

Released July 2007, 6 pages

Click here to view Ethanol Production Impacts Transportation System (PDF).

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Regional Alliance Pulls Toyota to Tupelo: PUL Alliance Efforts Attract New Jobs

Jonathan — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 21:19:19 +0000

The NADO Research Foundation’s Center for Transportation Advancement and Regional Development has released a new special report examining the multi-county alliance and transportation infrastructure that made the Northeast Mississippi region attractive to Toyota, which announced plans to build an automotive assembly plant there in early 2007.

Released August 2007, 12 pages

Click here to view Regional Alliance Pulls Toyota to Tupelo: PUL Alliance Efforts Attract New Jobs (PDF).

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