Spurring Community Economic Development in 2010

The Conservation Leadership Network was invited this year to work with four areas of thecountry – Unicoi County in Tennessee, the South Mountain Region of Pennsylvania, Southeastern Michigan, and the New River Gorge in West Virginia – as they seek to develop regional strategies for generating economic development while safeguarding their community character and natural assets. As the recession continues, more and more communities are beginning to look at their natural assets as forms of economic development. The trick is obviously to do so sustainably and to fashion growth in a pattern that will benefit entrepreneurs, tourists, and residents alike. An example of this work is best illustrated in the New River Gorge region of southwest, West Virginia –an area that has recently been selected to become the permanent home of the Boy Scouts Jamboree starting in 2013! The Conservation Leadership Network was invited to work with the community as they seek to develop a regional economic development and sustainable tourism strategy for the area. A workshop predicated on the national Balancing Nature and Commerce course was held in October and focused on assessing assets and developing action plans to address any gaps in the areas of physical infrastructure, commercial services, recreational amenities, and natural and cultural resources. Beyond preparing the region for the Boy Scouts and the expected tourists, the participants also sought to develop action plans which capitalized on the opportunity presented by the Boy Scouts for the residents of the area, e.g., plans for addressing education, workforce diversity, and the overall health of the citizenry. This is an exciting opportunity and the Conservation Fund was honored to assist the region.