Dozens of local groups such as WIBs, economic development agencies, schools, and civic organizations held focus group forums in 2010 on economic recovery. Those insights were shared as part of the multi-state think-tank effort through the Southern Growth Policies Board. Titled, The Road to Recovery is Main Street, Southern Growth’s 2010 Future of the South report presents the results of Southern Growth’s Listening to the South process, which engaged over 2,300 Southerners in talking about community economic recovery. The report also discusses the implications for state policy action and highlights creative initiatives in the region that aim to help communities recover from the recession.
“Communities felt that they needed to find ways to help themselves,” according to Southern Growth Executive Director Ted Abernathy. “They knew their answers would be found not on Wall Street but on Main Street. Nationally, we talk about creating jobs with place-based strategies, innovation clusters, expanding exports and improving regional competitiveness. Locally, while the language is different, citizens old and young, urban and rural told us they needed new ideas and needed to try new things. Their local economies were now different.”
In addition to sharing insights from dozens of local forums, the publication recommends five key strategies for local economic recovery in the South: look beyond industrial recruitment, reduce regulations, identify and build on community assets, revamp workforce training, and facilitate partnerships. Director Abernathy, in the book’s forward, pledged Southern Growth’s efforts to help communities to share ideas, success stories, and tools by disseminating the 2010 report widely with political, educational, and economic leadership throughout the South.
Missouri-based influences noted in the 2010 Southern Report on the South included the Four-States Partnerships of WIBs and Chambers at Joplin as well as an innovation award for Northwest Missouri State University’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Southern Growth’s 2010 Report: The Road to Recovery is Named Main Street may be downloaded from Southern Growth’s website. Participants may listen or view a webinar online as well.