Micro manufacturing and prototyping technologies are now allowing entrepreneurs to convert a product idea in to prototype and finished product in months versus years. Small and inexpensive computer aided design, plastic injected molding and computed numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools are allowing entrepreneurs to produce products in smaller lots while maintaining sufficient profit margins. An entrepreneur can now turn to firms in the local area as well as across the globe to collaborate and accelerate the production of finished goods.

A roadmap for the exploration of current & future trends.

I just finished reading a couple articles in the latest Fast Company Magazine.  Things are changing faster than we expected.

From personal experience I keep tabs on the AG commodities. For example, on January 12th the USDA changed their forecast of corn on hand. It dropped the value of corn $.50 cents in two days. From basically $3.50 to $3.00 per bushel on the local market, an approximately 16% drop in value. In years past you would never see a $.50 change in 1 year let alone in 2 days.

The stock market dropped approximately 5% in 5 days this past week. There is going to be even more turmoil as we move forward.

For example, how are we going to protect our 401(k) and IRA accounts from dropping in such significant values since we weren’t in the “right” investment instruments? I thought the 2000 internet bubble was bad, it was nothing compared to the 2008 “crash” in asset values that I don’t necessarily see a rebound in the next 5-10 years. So much for the buy and hold in the long term which is what I lived by the past 30 years. I believe the paradigm has changed but I’m not sure to what, other than a lot of discussions on Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).

 In the chart I read a couple of the lines. One that caught my interest, comes off Sustainability, gray line, below and moves to the right, shifting centers of economic activity, cautious optimism, CHIME liquidity, increasing inflation, …..  I had to look up the new term CHIME, which stands for China, India, and Middle East [http://resources.alibaba.com/topic/39879/CHIME_Countries_to_Charm_Investors_.htm].

There is a lot of data that could be studied over the course of several weeks and months.

http://www.kusi.com/home/78477082.html

http://www.kusi.com/weather/colemanscorner/81175327.html

http://www.visioning2026.com/docs/Introduction to Preservation 101 - PP2003 version.pdf

http://www.norfolkairportservices.com/

http://www.airnav.com/airport/KOFK/NORFOLK_AIRPORT_SVCS

The meeting was originally announced in the Norfolk Daily News Article, Preserving historic properties goal of new group, 1/8/2010, written by Cheryl Schmeckpeper, a board member of the Nebraska Historical Society.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 14, 2010, at the McMill Building, the former Norfolk Post Office, with a tour starting at 1:30 PM and a presentation at 3 PM.

HDR's Visioning Session slide presentation is available without the SWOT Analysis results.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threat Analysis is a good method to collect community input in small groups and then build consensus between the different participants. Each group had 4 sheets of butcher paper that they included ideas on the 4 different areas relative to the project. Each group shared with the facilitator those ideas which were consolidated. Then the individuals where given 4 sets of color dots (3 each) to correspond to the 4 areas and then asked to vote on the idea they felt was the most important. An individual could put on three dots on one ideas if they felt strongly about it.

I think the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Analysis that we went through with HDR as the facilitator for the riverwalk master plan was very beneficial. The only thing I would like to add to the participatory process is one more parallel process, I would call it Future Trends Impact (FTI). This additional process gives the facilitator an opportunity to share with the community the future trends that could have an impact on the effort and then allow the participants to add their own trends and then have the group vote on for consensus. For example, how will our aging demographics impact our park and rec master plan, fuel and transportation costs, growing obesity in our youth, life-long learning opportunities, our continued multi-generational extended family culture, further collaboration with other public entities (e.g., schools), etc.

http://search.twitter.com/search?q=rick+smyre

Interesting to read some of the comments relative to Tea Parties. This just reflects what Rick has been saying for many years that our representative democracy is not keeping up with the changes that are occurring around us and  across the world. I find it interesting and distressing that there was so much press coverage on the Somalia pirate situation which is a continued outgrowth of the problems in this region, a systemic problem that we knew about during the Clinton years and probably earlier. The political situation is becoming more unpredictable with Iran, North Korea, Pakistan and Afghanistan (3 with or near to have nuclear weapons). We see the frustrations at the local level where are local officials are over whelmed with information and issues, especially with paying for services and the current tax revenue structure and how to conduct economic and community development. Again I find it interesting about the local public school system looking at closing “attendance centers” versus using the term neighborhood schools. As Marv Cetron tried to get us to understand, the learning environment isn’t about bricks and mortar, but well incentivized teachers that are trained well for helping children learn how they individually learn.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, April 11, 2009

 Twitter A Social Networking Phenomenon for Business

 The power of social networking and the numerous communications capabilities now available has helped expand our opportunity to collaborate, with problem solving , become more effective creative thinkers, develop more responsive marketing processes, and consider evolving trends on a variety of business and community topics. One of these newest tools is Twitter. Why would this particular tool be any different than other internet applications?

 Here are a few things that I find that has helped separate this on-line tool and a growing trend from others communication applications (http://twitter.com, currently free requiring an email address, userID and password).

• The Tweets, 140 character messages or micro blogs are open to the public. Twitter allows you to interact at a personal level verses a typical a static website or blog site on the internet. This format follows the phone texting standard, short message service(SMS).
• The application supports text messaging (e.g., phone SMS) and communications with other applications such as Facebook and the expanding smartphone instruments.
• It has search capability similar to a tradition search engine such as Google.
• Third party application developers are expanding on this open source platform to make the data useable in a variety of ways, for example, key word tracking and analysis.
• One of the features I like about this tool is it a quick and easy way to capture references that I’ve found useful and share them with others as well as keeping them on-line for future reference.

WebProNews reports that, “New data from comScore indicates that Twitter approached 10 million users in February. That's a growth of over 700% from February 2008. On top of that, worldwide visitors climbed over 5 million more. Just in the US, visitors climbed over 1000% in a year's time. The two largest age demographics on Twitter are the 45-54 crowd, and the 25-34 crowd. Interestingly, the youngsters (12-17) are the smallest demographic as comScore notes, referencing info from Alexei Oreskovic of Reuters. “

A recent community in Kansas is using Twitter to disseminate notices related to different departments activities and services, e.g., road closures, park activities, etc. (http://www.eldoradotimes.com/homepage/x1525910911/City-twitters-for-quick-communication) . Twitter is also being identified as part of the six technology trends (on-line communications tools) impacting the K-12 educational system (http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=57910).

 For business purposes the search capability and the third party keyword reporting features help me stay up to date on micro trends that are evolving. This tool has great collaborating capabilities when it comes to creative ideas and problem solving. It can help with some word of mouth advertising and you can use it for target marketing. Some businesses are using this tool to allow customer to order carry-out or schedule just in time delivers for their customers with hectic schedules.

I use this tool for a variety of adaptive and critical thinking purposes.

1.       When I find an interesting website/article I post this link with a short note as a Tweet. I’ve included the Twitter API on my Facebook page so I can increase my sharing options. This is a very convenient method for me to capture my interesting references in one place for future references. The internet or what some are now saying is cloud computing, is becoming my long term storage solution of choice.

2.       Twitter now has a search option similar to other search engines. This is very helpful in keeping updated on what people are commenting on concerning existing products I am marketing through our website. Another third party applications is helping me find other Tweeters in my geographic area.

3.       Third party software developers have access to the public data (Tweets) that is produced by Twitter users. One particular product, TweetLater, allows me to set up a daily report to list all tweets that contain keywords that I’m interested in for business purposes.

4.       The internet marketing community has quickly jumped on the tool for helping increase their marketing opportunities without worrying about email spam. This micro blogging tool allows for quick notes and the ability to incorporate pictures and web links to other websites.

5.       The ability to establish and define Hashtags allows users to tag a Tweet with a character/numeric string preceded by the # sign so that others can follow (e.g., #CMEcon is the hashtag for the Creative Molecular Economy topic). A dictionary of hashtags has been developed to see what topics people have established for following and sharing.

For a few of the tools you may find helpful to improve your Twitter communication experience please refer to either of the following website links.

http://www.visioning2026.com/blog/post/twittersocial-networking-tools/

Mark Hall is the General Manager for Tru Mark Athletic Field Marker (http://www.AthleticFieldMarker.com), a manufacturer and distributor of field marking equipment, supplies, and tools. He is also the Vice President of eSelling4u.com, Inc. which operates an internet business operation, Watertight Storage Case Co. (http://www.WaterTightCase.com),  that markets protective cases for active life-style people and businesses needing to protect valuable mobile electronic equipment. Mr. Hall is a graduate of Leadership Norfolk course, one of the team members involved in the 5 step process for the Visioning 2026 Project (http://www.Visioning2026.com) and a current board member for the NorthFork Riverwalk Development Foundation (http://www.NorthForkNE.com). You can contact him at mhall@eselling4u.com, Twitter:trumark, LinkedIn:hallmarkd, and Facebook: 517061207.

There are several other tools that I like to use for tracking key words in tweets. This is one way to make connections with other with similar interests. The hashtag feature of Twitter is supporting the increase of more "groups".

Connect with me at the following free websites:

http://www.linkedin.com/in/hallmarkd

http://twitter.com/trumark

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=517061207

http://search.twitter.com/ similar to Google search but targeted on tweets

http://www.twitpic.com/ Adding pictures to Twitter

http://twitterfall.com/ Streaming Tweets based on key words you select

http://www.tweetlater.com/ Productivity Tools. One is a really great tool for key word searches with the results sent as a batch report via email to read at your leisure.

http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2231777543 Adding your Twitter feed to your Facebook page

http://twitter.com/badges/blogger Add Twitter to your Blogger page

http://twittgroups.com/search.php
Searching for groups that have been established

http://dossy.org/twitter/karma/ helping to manage your Twitter followers

http://dossy.org/2007/12/need-help-managing-your-twitter-karma/

http://www.twellow.com/twellowhood/ Twitter Yellow Pages, a great location tool for finding fellow Twitters in your area

http://www.twittermeter.com/ Tool to graph key words used over a certain time period

http://wthashtag.com/wiki/Cmecon Dictionary of Twitter Hashtags e.g., #CMEcon stands for Creative Molecular Economy

http://www.hashtagdirectory.org/ Wiki of Twitter Hashtags , instructions on how to create a hashtag in the dictionary

http://bubbletweet.com/ a tool to add a short video to your Twitter page

http://www.sociableblog.com/2008/12/29/top-twitter-tools-2009/

http://www.briansolis.com/2008/10/twitter-tools-for-community-and.html

https://www.twittad.com/index.php

There this a debate going on concerning 21^st-Century Skills teaching methods.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/03/04/23pushback_ep.h28.html?tmp=1625104813

Here’s what I find interesting, the opponents are making this learning/teaching method into an “either/or” versus “and/both” thinking solution set. One of the keys in the discussion from my point of view is helping the teachers prepare themselves for 21^st-Century Skills teaching methods for the classroom. This different approach is not being accepted since it has more systemic changes to the process of learning. I find it interesting the opponents attack this approach but they have little to offer on how to improve our educational system. Another thing I like about the 21^st-Centruy Skills method it is more student focused versus teacher focused.

Keep advancing this program in our schools system as I believe it will pay-off big time in the years ahead.

Engaging Millennials

which lists four major motivators for millennials.  The article can be found here:

http://www.hermangroup.com:80/alert/archive_1-07-2009.html

-Larry

Am sending this article to you for two reasons....one to focus on the importance of the deflationary trap about which Krugman mentions in this article. Second, I am having more and more conversations with citizens at the local level who are obviously concerned, and I think almost to the point of getting involved...but they don't know what to do and are stuck with traditional knowledge and experience that relates less and less to the kind of society and economy that seems to be emerging.

 In my opinion, what we currently are observing at the federal level reflects problems on both sides of the isle with the way we will need to think about how to prepare for a future that is very different from the past. There is no template and if politics as usual continues to be the way we approach increasingly complex and difficult problems, we will continue to see both economic and social disruptions grow which will, in turn exacerbate the problems. It is interesting to see how the concept of "either/or" thinking is inhibiting and, at times, preventing the ability to think and act at a higher level of complexity.

 What is happening provides an opportunity for futures thinking and transformative dialogue at the local level in people and small groups who care about learning trends, weak signals and transformational concepts and methods. In my opinion, without developing new capacities for transformation at the local level, we will continue to see increased frustration that may boil over into anger and violence if the economy tumbles into such negative territories that citizens lose all faith in their leadership.

 As the Chinese say, "with crisis there is opportunity." The conversations I have had with people throughout the country this week gives me great hope that we will see more and more "access points" where the ideas and methods of community transformation will not be seen as just nice to know, but necessary to move beyond our present economic and potentially social debacle.

 Hope all of you have had a good week. All the best.  Rick

Another post captured from Larry:

Along the lines of our "and/both thinking"... consider the following article by Burton W. Folsom, Jr. entitled "Do We Need a New New Deal?" which is the second article on the following page:

http://www.hillsdale.edu/news/imprimis.asp

Isn't that an eye-opener!?  What might be the implications of a New New Deal?

 BTW, if anyone wants to read the Krugman article without registering for NYTimes online, read it here:

http://buzz.yahoo.com/article/1:new_york_times:67347aa903876d8af7f563180344b1df

 Great discussion, everyone!

 Larry

twitter: VirgilOutlander

SL:  Virgil Outlander

Just a quick follow-up from the session on Feb 3^rd.

 On my signature block below you’ll see several of the network sites I’m using. Please take the opportunity to create an account and if you already have one please invite me. See what connections you can make through these new communication technologies.

 Here are a couple more websites that may be helpful during your group project efforts.

 http://www.visioning2026.com/

 http://communitiesofthefuture.org/

 http://www.communitytransformer.com/

http://www.kurzweilai.net/index.html?flash=1

 I mentioned that Twitter now has many other applications that have access to the tweets.

http://www.tweetlater.com/

http://www.twellow.com/twellowhood/

http://twittgroups.com/showgroups.php

http://www.twitpic.com/

http://www.ehow.com/how_4668396_connect-twitter-facebook-status-updates.html

 I look forward to hearing how your projects progress. 

 The journey is greater than the end.

Mark Hall

http://www.linkedin.com/in/hallmarkd

http://twitter.com/trumark

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=517061207

This is a excerpt from an email newsletter published by Rick Smyre, President, Communities of the Future.

This is the first of my two weekly messages/articles that I will be forwarding. I thought this article by Tom Friedman, Elvis Has Left the Mountain, particularly appropriate because of his emphasis that the future will have more uncertainty than we have ever seen and that it will take a longer time to get out of this economic mess.

One of the articles that I am writing in the near future for our web site will focus on how I believe we are in a turning point of values and ideas that will need to be aligned to a new type of world that, not only is constantly changing, but one whose foundation principles of how we learn, how we do economic development, how we lead and how we govern will need to transform. Our present institutions were created in a time of slow change where hierarchies and standard/singular outcomes were appropriate.

I find it fascinating how much our COTF work (that is focused on building capacities for transformation) is resonating recently with so many diverse people.

What has not struck many people, in my opinion, is that the Western emphasis on individuality (that has evolved to extreme measures) is inconsistent with the need of building multiple connections....and that we are entering a world of systemic connections where a newly emerging culture, interconnected economic networks, and holistic learning ideas will be seamless for those who are successful. This is far different from out of date ideas of an Industrial Age era, and is nothing less that the birth of a new approach to the future. It is almost as if we are seeing the application of Gladwell's emphasis on a tipping point related to a new type of society that is emerging.

One of the reasons that I think our COTF work is now connecting with multiple ahas! at this point is that, until recently, few people have seen the need to study trends, weak signals and transformational ideas, and therefor, are left stuck in a traditional thinking box that is based on increasingly obsolete ideas and methods...thus adding to the frustration we are seeing...as well as the increasing fear for the future.

I noticed that this same type of idea was at the center of Friedman's article as those in Davos, in side conversations, were still searching for the "one" man or idea who could get us out of this mess. This resonates with the question I asked my VPs thirty years ago..."what is it that we need to do to resolve this yarn quality problem?" It took me ten years to realize I had asked the wrong question. Any question I should have asked should have emphasized the idea that ....what are the various interacting factors that we need to consider?

The connection is that both those in Davos who were asking this question and my own inappropriate question in 1975 are based on "one factor thinking." We have been moving into an age of institutional shifts that will be based on complex adaptive systems where leadership is focused on building capacities for transformation, and where deeper collaboration will be required, in my opinion, to resolve increasing complex issues. I emphasize the need to think about issues within a transforming futures context. Traditional thinking, knowledge and experience is no longer enough.

Notice the struggle in many places to include Washington, DC to get beyond the dichotomies of either/or thinking. In a time of innovation where developing new connections will be the rule, we are often still stuck in traditional ways of thinking that looks for the one answer. To me, this is at the core of Friedman's article.

Hope a couple of ideas in it are of interest. All the best. Rick

1. Open application interface standards -- Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)
2. Open structured data base standards -- FreeBase  http://www.freebase.com/
3. Smartphone technologies integrated with navigation tools -- high bandwidth wireless technologies
4. 3D Virtual Reality platforms -- SecondLife
5. Web 2.0 integrated technology development tools -- eCommerce payment tools such as XStreet  http://www.xstreetsl.com/
6. Secure exchange of information between mobile devices -- Create a publicly available digital fingerprint, known as a cryptographic hash mark, that will make it possible for anyone to determine that documents are authentic and have not been tampered with. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/science/27arch.html?_r=1

With structured data you can now do intelligent or scripted queries. With this structured database and open source application programming interface (API) services I can see where smartphone user development features will accelerate.

The next big break through, I believe, is when we can start using our smartphones to complete secure transactions. Your mobile communicator, computer, web search tool, business organizer, navigation tool, and entertainment center will then be almost complete (needs to be a outside your body remote sensor to collect health information off your internal sensors).

Now we should be able to use the smartphone sensor technology to record information and then be able to transform/transpose the data into a 3D virtual reality platform and then back again once we have modified the virtual reality.

We now could visualize (with holograhic display technologies) our future reality right in a community redevelopment effort.

Placemaking puts people first. It is a holistic approach based on public involvement, on citizens working to make things better. Capitalizing on communities' often overlooked assets and can-do spirit, placemaking shows how we can advance everyone's health and happiness without spending huge amounts of money.

We now see the limitation of the privatized pursuits that flourished in recent years, and are rediscovering the importance of truly public spots"parks, markets, waterfronts and downtowns, to name a few"where we can come together to meet our needs and solve problems.

Taking stock of our work over the past year, we noticed 10 significant trends that are redefining the world as we know it, even in a down economy. What stood out in looking over all that we accomplished in 2008 was how people can still make big changes in their community if they have the right tools.

1. Placemaking gains ground around the globe
2. Collaboration is the key to making change
3. Greenplace: How community revitalization fights climate change
4. Placemaking is essential to vibrant travel destinations
5. Libraries emerge as new town squares
   
6. How cities stay lively 12 months a year
7. The Power of 10 leverages community assets
8. Public markets provide a leg up in a down economy
9. The rise of community-based transportation planning
10. New developments create innovative models for destinations

http://www.pcma.org/Convene/Issue_Archives/November_2008/Leading_By_Example.htm

http://www.uli.org/ResearchAndPublications/Magazines/UrbanLand/2008/August.aspx

Among utilities pursuing smart grid technologies, Xcel Energy took the lead in March 2008, when it announced plans to convert Boulder, Colorado, into the nation's first fully integrated "Smart Grid City." Since then Xcel Energy has fitted the Chancellor's Residence at the University of Colorado with smart grid technologies, including an energy management system, a solar power system, a battery system for backup power, and a plug-in hybrid vehicle that will be automatically charged during off-peak times. The utility has also announced near-term plans to convert 60 hybrid vehicles to plug-in hybrids in order to test vehicle-to-grid technologies, with plans to eventually add another 500 plug-in hybrids. Meanwhile, the General Electric Company (GE) is preparing for smart grid technologies with plans to soon introduce a suite of "smart appliances" that can reduce their energy demand in response to signals from the electric utility. GE notes, for instance, that a smart refrigerator can delay its automatic defrost cycle until non-peak hours. The GE suite of smart appliances will also include ranges, dishwashers, microwave ovens, and clothes washers and dryers. See the Xcel Energy press releases on the Chancellor's Residence and vehicle-to-grid tests, as well as the GE press release.

http://center.uoregon.edu/ISTE/NECC2009/travel/pdfs/HousingBrochure_09.pdf

 Just a quick follow-up on some research that I wanted to share with you.

 Mark Hall

 Through my LinkedIn on-line professional network I’ve made the following connection and associated references.

 Ray Lange, Executive Vice President at Journal Communications, runs a custom magazine media company working with chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, travel organizations and corporations ranging from rural chambers to fortune 500 companies. They produce a custom magazine for their customers. They use advertising revenue to fund the documents. According to Ray, the City would be bucking the tread by going it alone and not using an existing or expanding a regional economic development model. http://www.jnlcom.com/

 Here are couple references that Ray provided that may have some similarities to Northeast Nebraska

TEXAS MIDWEST Community Network

http://www.texasmidwest.org/

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – Nicki Harle, 325-676-0329

Group of 20 counties, some with only 1,000 people.

 Catawba County Economic Development Corporation

http://www.catawbaedc.org/

Scott Millar, 828-267-1564

Trying to expand to 4 counties

 Savannah Economic Development Authority

http://www.seda.org/

Lynn Pitts, 912-447-8450

Land locked and having to expand into areas outside of community.

Greater Louisville Economic Development

http://www.greaterlouisville.com/ed/default.asp

Combating the big gorilla mentality

 Additional Regional Economic Development programs found through website searches.

 Siouxland Economic Development Corporation’s (SEDC’s)

http://www.siouxlandedc.com/

SEDC was formed in 1979 to help businesses start up or expand in a ten-county area of Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Our SBA 504 program is now available in the entire state of Iowa. We are a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors and staffed by seasoned loan professionals. We have loans of every size to fit your small business needs. Contact us anytime if you have questions or need assistance. The application deadline for all our programs is the first Wednesday of any month.

 Western Kansas Economic Development Alliance

http://www.wkreda.com/Document.aspx?id=1012

wKREDA is a coalition of people in the 53 western Kansas counties who've decided to pool their resources, both human and financial, to work together for the common good of western Kansas. wKREDA's members maintain a collaborative affiliation with each other so that we are able to achieve both our individual, and our collective, rural development goals. The 1994 decision to create wKREDA started our unique and colorful history. Our innovative approach to challenges, and how we've made western Kansas open for business is published in our Genesis section.

 Oklahoma Regional Economic Development Partnerships

Many Oklahoma communities are starting to recognize the value of regional partnerships.  As of January 2008, there were 28 active regional partnerships across the state.

http://www.okcommerce.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=661&Itemid=571

 Advance Northeast Ohio

Region’s economic action plan to build a brighter future for our cities, towns, villages and all of our residents.

http://www.advancenortheastohio.org/about

 Florida ‘s Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative

Florida's Heartland encompasses six South Central Florida Counties, has a land area of 5,000 square miles with a population of 250,000 living in 24 communities.  Although each community is unique, broad-based support for economic progress is a constant, unifying theme.  Florida's Heartland Rural Economic Development Initiative (FHREDI) provides regional economic development coordination to businesses interested in expanding or relocating to the area.  

http://www.fhredi.com/

 Woodbury County Rural Economic Development

http://www.woodbury-ia.com/departments/economicdevelopment/

Woodbury County has the richest farmland in the world, is located within minutes to world-class art, entertainment and recreation centers, acts as a major transportation hub to the nation, and its cities exemplify the description: Traditional Values for Modern Communities.

The Columbia, Missouri Area, Regional Economic Development, Inc.

http://www.columbiaredi.com/

 Regional Development Corporation, Northern New Mexico

http://www.rdcnm.org/

The Regional Development Corporation (RDC) is a private non-profit, 501 (c) 3, Economic Development Organization (EDO) whose primary service area is Northern New Mexico (NNM). The RDC assists Northern New Mexico communities and small businesses with economic development activities. We work with community leaders to address the increasingly rapid pace of technological, social and environmental change in NNM by assisting communities and industry in managing their economic projects and initiatives.

 Rural Economic Development

 http://www.ncruralcenter.org/about/mission.htm

The mission of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center is to develop, promote, and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. The center serves the state's 85 rural counties, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources.

http://www.gredc.org/about/about.htm

The Georgia Rural Economic Development Center (GREDC), a Public/Private Partnership, is funded through the Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP), the University System’s premier economic development program, and a significant donation from the private sector. 

 Regional Economic Development Council (Council) Rural Business Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)

The Rural Business Revolving Loan Fund (Fund) is designed to improve the Concho Valley geographic area economy by providing “gap” financing for small, emerging private business enterprise that increases employment.

http://www.cvworkforce.org/prd/rlf.asp

 Suggested Reading List

http://www.nyecon.cornell.edu/research/rural.mgi

 Center for Community & Economic Development, March  14, 2008,

3 organizing principles: (1) Community-driven (2) Regionally-orientated (3) Entrepreneur-focused

http://www.uwex.edu/CES/cced/communities/documents/Series8.pdf

 An award presented on  "Unlocking Rural Competitiveness: The Role of Regional Clusters."

http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/5776.html

 EU-Integration of Rural Economic Areas – Even the Europeans are using a regional economic development model.

http://www.gc21.de/ibt/en/site/rdm/ibt/xhtml/soe2_description.sxhtml

With this supra-regional programme InWEnt supports new, cross-sector approaches and concepts for a sustainable development of rural areas. In this context, the mobilisation of the endogenous development potentials by involving all relevant groups of stakeholders forms a core issue of all measures. Linking regional support policies with a participatory regional planning, local and regional economic development as well as new market-oriented and employment-oriented vocational training systems is the focal point of this innovative approach. 

http://www.marbidco.org/home.html

 http://www.mn2020.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={FF75B182-80F5-46E5-8CC8-89BA4EB32157}&DE=

 Canadian Regional Economic Development

http://www.intrd.gov.nl.ca/intrd/economicboards.htm

Technology, Disabled, Social Networking--Making Connections to Learn about and Solve Problems

 Interesting article in New York Times on collaboration being made at different levels within our business and social fabric. Interviewed participants recognize the importance of social networks to helping solve problems on a number of fronts. I would submit that we are starting to lay the foundation for our creative molecular economy.

 “Imagine a specialist Facebook or MySpace-type social network in which users would be involved in designing the tools they want and need,” said Stephen A. Lee, a British software developer who operates Fullmeasure.co.UK and is a director of Project:Possibility. “Students would talk to users and work on projects that meet needs as well as be exciting.”

He estimated that “an active online community may well take six or more months to organize, as there is inertia and shyness to overcome.” There will also be costs to create such an online community, he said, “for Web hosting, associated technology costs and set-up labor.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/business/smallbusiness/18edge.html