1. Stronger Economies Together (SET) Strategies for Building New Economic Opportunities SET VI Applications 1

2. Purpose of SET Help rural communities/counties work together as a regional team in developing and implementing A High Quality Regional Economic Development Plan that builds on the current and emerging economic strengths of their region. 2

3. SET: Participating States 3

4. SET Organization

5. Support Structure for SET 5 State Resource Team SET Regions SET National Team

6. State Resource Team Coaches Training: First week of May, tentative At least 3 people: 1 RD 1 CES 1 other Application: Recruit Visit Evaluate Recommend Planning: Facilitate Sessions Guide Planning Coach Writing Implementing: Guide Process Develop Leadership Connect Resources

7. New Streamlined Process Launching SET through Civic Engagemen t Examining Economic Data Exploring In- Depth Regional Advantages & Opportunities Defining Assets and Barriers Establishing the Plan Implementing Success

8. Estimated Time Commitment for SRT: One Year Period FunctionNumber Hours State’s planning/recruiting region(s)40 as a state Region’s SET planning period120 per region Region’s implementation phase100 per region National level reporting40 as a state Evaluating10 per region Providing technical assistance20 per region

9. Support for the Work Funding: $26,400 per region Data Reports tailored to each region Training for Coaching Team Monthly Calls with Coaching Team National and regional coaching support Coaching Visits SET Funding Coordination Monthly Calls SRDC Data Reports Data Assistance Monthly Calls Purdue Coaching Visits Funding Guidance Monthly Calls USDA RD

10. SET’s Value to Regions

11. What SET Provides Regional Teams Hands on step- by-step process for building or enhancing regional plans Detailed demographic & socio- economic information Data and analysis on current and emerging clusters Coaching implementatio n of the plan Access to special expertise More in-depth cluster analysis Monthly calls with State Resource Team Members Webinars on relevant topics Multi-state meetings Coaching Data & Analysis Technical Assistance Peer-to-Peer Networking

12. Value of SET to the Region ItemValue Operating Fund (per region)$26,400 Data Reports (fair market value)$15,000 SRT Support (minimum estimate per region)$60,000 TOTAL$101,400 NOTE: Does not include the value of the curriculum development nor the support of the national team.

13. What SET Has Accomplished Partnership Growth 192% Leveraging 38:1

14. The Application Process: Three Steps

15. Step One: State Application Identify State Resource Team Articulate the plan for recruiting regions Signature of support: Rural Development State Director Cooperative Extension Service Director/Administrator

16. Step Two: Regional Applications Three or more contiguous counties 51% rural High or persistent poverty priority Important: Must be regional interest

17. Understanding the Rural Definition http://srdc.msstate.edu/set1/definitionrural.html 17 51% or more of the region's population is classified as rural OR 75% of the region's land area is located in rural areas of that region.

18. Priority Points: Persistent Poverty http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/atlas-of-rural-and-small-town-america/go-to-the-atlas.aspx

19. Priority Points: High Poverty 20%+ http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/atlas-of-rural-and-small-town-america/go-to-the-atlas.aspx

20. Step Three: Site Visits Purposes: Ensure that regions understand SET Select sites that are most likely to benefit Clarify expectations for the regions Help coaches prepare for working with the regions

21. Timeline Jan. 27, State Applications Due Mid-Feb., States Announced April 15, Regional Applications Due May, first week, tent. – Coaches’ Training Early June, Regions Announced SET Planning Phase: 6-7 months SET Launching Phase: 6-7 months

22. Your Turn: Question and Answers 22

23. Who to Contact? Rachel Welborn Southern Rural Development Center Rachel.welborn@msstate.edu 662.325.5885 23 http://srdc.msstate.edu/set/ Hiwot Gebremariam USDA Rural Development Hiwot.Gebremariam@wdc.usda.gov 202.690.4749