Community & Economic Development
Monadock Vital Economies
Monadnock Vital Economies is Southwest Region Planning Commission’s new economic development planning assistance program. The aim of the program is to help communities develop plans, design policies, and implement strategies that advance locally determined economic goals. Those goals could relate directly to economic activity, such as improving local employment opportunities or attracting new businesses. Goals could also, however, speak to issues that more broadly relate to a community’s economic well-being, such as expanding housing options, increasing broadband access, or enhancing community amenities.
Assistance provided through Monadnock Vital Economies could take a number of forms, depending on the needs and goals of the participating community. Some communities may have yet to identify economic goals. In such cases, foundational planning efforts—like developing an economic development chapter within a master plan—may be the best place to start. Other communities may have already laid groundwork to achieve particular economic development objectives and may be in a position to pursue specific strategies, such as revamping land use regulations, streamlining business permitting processes, or enhancing community marketing and promotional materials. Monadnock Vital Economies can support projects such as these and others at the implementation phase of the economic development process.
Proposing a Project
Member municipalities of Southwest Region Planning Commission are encouraged to propose projects for participation in Monadnock Vital Economies. Municipalities proposing projects are welcome to coordinate with local businesses and other stakeholders when developing and submitting proposals. You can propose a project by completing the online form. It is strongly recommended that municipalities proposing projects contact SWRPC staff prior to completing the form in order to confirm project eligibility. Project proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but for full consideration, proposals should be submitted by February 28, 2020. SWRPC’s ability to support proposed projects will depend on a number of factors, including the location of the project, the type of project, and the constraints of the funding sources that make Monadnock Vital Economies possible. A financial and/or in-kind match will stretch limited program funds and may improve chances of a proposal being selected and moving forward.
A Menu of Potential Economic Development Projects
Monadnock Vital Economies takes an expansive view of economic development, recognizing that factors spanning a variety of sectors can affect the local economic environment. The following list of example projects should not be interpreted as comprehensive, but rather as a sampling of some specific strategies that municipalities might consider.
In each of the projects described, Monadnock Vital Economies may play a variety of roles. From facilitating innovative public engagement strategies to crafting technical documents, the program can assist participating communities in a number of ways to move economic development strategies forward.