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PLANNING STRATEGICALLY FOR THE
NEW ECONOMY
December 4-6, 2007
Background
Regions and communities that are successful in economic development invariably have a clear vision of their future destination and a sound plan to get there. This three-day course teaches the process of planning strategically as a fundamental requirement for success in the new economy using practical examples and class exercises. How long does it take to develop a plan? Who needs to be included in the process? How much does it cost? Should a consultant be hired? What should the final plan look like? What time period should the plan cover? These are just a few of the key questions that we will be addressing in this course.
This 2.5 credit course may be applied toward the Mid-South Economic Development Professional (MSEDP) designation offered through the UALR Center for Economic Development Education. It also has been approved as part of Business Retention and Expansion’s Advanced Education Program leading to BREI’s Business Retention and Expansion Professional (BREP) designation. For more information on these programs, please visit www.aiea.ualr.edu/econdev/ and www.brei.org.
Who Should Attend
The course is for new professionals, experienced staff members who need a refresher course, or anyone seeking a better understanding of the strategic planning process. Those who benefit the most include practicing economic developers and their staff, community developers, chamber of commerce staff, members of local economic development boards or other volunteer leaders, elected officials, government agency employees, workforce personnel, downtown and neighborhood developers, planners, and educators.
Course Content and Faculty
The course provides instruction in visioning, setting key priorities and goals, developing an effective set of strategic actions, successful implementation, and where to get help. It also examines the budget and organizational structure needed for the strategic planning process. Because this course is focused on economic development planning, it will encompass some aspects of marketing, business retention and expansion, entrepreneurship, and business recruitment. A case study exercise is woven throughout the course to illustrate the principles presented and to give participants an opportunity to use what they are learning in a realistic context. The course provides the background needed to enable a participant to act as a consultant to a region or community, provide guidance and counsel to local leaders, facilitate multi-organizational groups and volunteers, identify local champions and engage them in a manner that will ensure responsibility for implementation of identified programs is in place.
The course is led by Dr. David Kolzow, President of Team Kolzow of Franklin, Tennessee. Dr. Kolzow is recognized for his expertise in strategic planning for economic development, both as a consultant and as an instructor. Dr. Ron Swager, CEcD, Director of the IEA Center for Economic Development Education at IEA, also will instruct.
Course Topics
| Introduction: |
Planning Strategically for the New Economy |
| Step 1: |
Beginning the Process |
| Step 2: |
Community Assessment |
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Surveying Leadership, Citizens, and Businesses |
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Analyzing the Local Economy |
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S.W.O.T. Analysis |
| Step 3: |
Leadership Engagement |
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Approaches to Effective Visioning |
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Identifying and Prioritizing Key Development Issues |
| Step 4: |
Setting Goals and Measurable Outcomes |
| Step 5: |
Strategic Action Planning |
| Step 6: |
Writing and Communicating the Strategic Plan Draft |
| Step 7: |
Implementing the Plan |
| Step 8: |
Evaluating the Performance and Progress of the Plan |
Budgeting and Organizing for Strategic Planning
Course Evaluation & Conclusion
Please note that this is a full 3-day course. It will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 4 and end by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 6.
Costs
The cost of the course ($275) covers all instructional expenses, including course materials. Break refreshments are provided. Additional expenses should be anticipated for lodging, meals, transportation, etc. You may register online or by completing and faxing a registration form.
Registration
Mail/FAX Registration Form
Online Registration
Sponsors
Planning Strategically for the New Economy is co-sponsored by the Arkansas Economic Developers association, the Arkansas Partnership, and the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation.
  
Lodging
The closest hotel to the Reynolds Center is the Hilton Little Rock Metro Center, located at the southeast corner of University Avenue and Interstate 630 (1.1 miles north). As our host hotel, the Hilton offers a reduced rate of $96 per night to UALR course participants. The number is 501-664-5020. When making reservations, please ask for “local reservations” and mention that you are attending the UALR Economic Development Course and ask for the UALR rate. Rooms are reserved on a space available basis. Other hotels frequently used by our participants include the Holiday Inn Select, Hampton Inn, The Peabody Hotel, and La Quinta Inn.
Location and Transportation
The course is held at the Reynolds Center for Business and Economic Development, a state-of-the-art educational and research facility on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Located at 2801 South University Avenue, the Reynolds Center is conveniently situated at the northwestern edge of the campus. Parking for the Reynolds Center is available in several lots directly north and east of the building.
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