Connecting community assets to market demand to build lasting livelihoods.
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Camelina: Biofuel for thought
Thanks to its agrarian roots, the Arkansas Delta has a surprisingly strong tradition of small business entrepreneurship. That enduring heritage may soon find renewed vitality, thanks to a breakthrough green energy technology, a group of enterprising family farmers, and a gutsy local development...
Come on UP: The Great Waters fine!
Not long ago, typical visitors to Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula drove up from the Detroit area to visit family or friends, maybe fish or hunt a little. After a decade of local collaboration, new visitors are streaming in from all over to visit The Great Waters—and to explore a world-class...
Rec after hours: Human-powered recreation brings partners together
The bonds between natural resources, communities, and generations of travelers run deep in New Hampshire’s North Country. But efforts to increase tourism in high-amenity areas like this can threaten natural resources and their value to both residents and visitors. A network of partners...
Clean and lean: Building wealth... efficiently!
Appalachian Kentucky, where coal has long been king, is a region looking for new economic engines. An unconventional mix of energy efficiency upgrades, creative financing and unprecedented partnerships is now bringing low-income residents, utility companies, shopkeepers, community service...
Growing the Local Food Economy through the Mid-South Food LINC Value Chain
Growers in the Mississippi River Delta areas of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee have a long history and deep knowledge base of growing a variety of types of produce and other crops. The fertile Delta soil can produce nearly anything that consumers would want to purchase and eat. Communities...
Back to the future: Food, farms and renewal
The Deep South has a strong agricultural history, but too many resources are concentrated in the hands of a few. Now a group of African American farmers in Mississippi and Alabama are banding together to access larger markets, engage young people and redefine farming as a path to prosperity....
Education Amplifies Arts and Crafts Value Chain
Creative individuals throughout the region create artistic products by quilting, basket making, pottery, sculpting, and woodworking. In the early 2000s, Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission, Ala-Tom Resource Conservation & Development Council (RC&D), and the University of Alabama...
Wealth from forests: Doing wood right
Early attempts to encourage a viable green construction materials industry in Central Appalachia fell short of the mark. But a new social enterprise is showing success, thanks to a decentralized business model that offers a win-win for everyone involved—especially the region’s small, family-...
Lewistown, MT: Building Strength from the Center
The small city of Lewistown is situated near the geographic center of Montana, a picturesque community that lies along the banks of Big Spring Creek surrounded by five mountain ranges. Its location has inspired the town to embrace the slogan “Find Your Center” as part of its tourism...
Rethreading a textile heritage: One stitch at a time
Western North Carolina is home to an array of skilled textile workers. Successful pairing of demand for American-made textiles with the work of small firms in western North Carolina and regions in the surrounding states is making the region’s economy more resilient. These businesses...
Cooperative Model Brings People Together
In Mora, New Mexico, approaching challenges cooperatively has created benefits and opportunities for this small, rural community. Collaborative Visions, along with county commissioners, business owners, and a network of committed and connected community members work together toward a future that...
Oregon North Coast Seafood
Efforts to develop the small-scale seafood value chain in Garibaldi and Tillamook County date back to 2013 when Rural Development Initiatives (RDI), an Oregon-based non-profit that supports economic development in rural communities, launched a pilot program to encourage rural regions throughout...
Marketing Scales up Regional Food Systems
Southeast Ohio has a rich history of agricultural production. Farmers grow agricultural products in the region, and consumers need food and are interested in purchasing local foods, but effort from multiple partners was needed to connect the supply to the demand. Rural Action, ACEnet,...
Delta Sun Biodiesel Business Plan
Business plan developed by alt.consulting for Delta Sun Biodiesel Company
Delta Sun Biodiesel Business Plan
Business plan developed by alt.consulting for Delta Sun Biodiesel Company
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Micro-Bio-Refinery%20Investment%20Plan%20-%20alt.Consulting.pdf
Farm to Fuel
A video by Arkansas State University MidSouth on the DeWitt County biodiesel micro-refinery
Farm to Fuel
A video by Arkansas State University MidSouth on the DeWitt County biodiesel micro-refinery
A Wealth Building Framework to Do Economic Development Differently
A brief overview of the WealthWorks wealth building framework components.
A Wealth Building Framework to Do Economic Development Differently
A brief overview of the WealthWorks wealth building framework components.
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/wbframeworkfin.pdf
Sample Prosperity Summit Facilitator's Agenda
A sample facilitator's agenda to help as you plan your own Prosperity Summit
Sample Prosperity Summit Facilitator's Agenda
A sample facilitator's agenda to help as you plan your own Prosperity Summit
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Sample%20Prosperity%20Summit%20Facilitator%27s%20Agenda.pdf
Place-Based Investing for Resilient Rural Development
This study is the fourth in a series of WealthWorks papers focused on financing rural value chains. It helps value chain practitioners understand emerging opportunities to tap into new place-based forms of finance, across a wide spectrum ranging from crowdfunding to Slow Money, to community...
Place-Based Investing for Resilient Rural Development
This study is the fourth in a series of WealthWorks papers focused on financing rural value chains. It helps value chain practitioners understand emerging opportunities to tap into new place-based forms of finance, across a wide spectrum ranging from crowdfunding to Slow Money, to community...
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Place-Based_Investing_for_Resilient_Rural_Development.pdf
Measuring Rural Wealth Creation: A Guide for Regional Development Organizations
The Measuring Wealth Creation guide introduces concepts of measuring progress in rural wealth creation for regional development organizations that are involved in a range of community and economic development within their regions. Although this guide is intended to help measure the work of a...
Measuring Rural Wealth Creation: A Guide for Regional Development Organizations
The Measuring Wealth Creation guide introduces concepts of measuring progress in rural wealth creation for regional development organizations that are involved in a range of community and economic development within their regions. Although this guide is intended to help measure the work of a...
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/MeasuringWealthCreationRDOsFinal.pdf
The eight capitals
A simple one-pager that lists the eight capitals.
The eight capitals
A simple one-pager that lists the eight capitals.
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/theeightcapitals.pdf
Strategies for lasting livelihoods: An example
A simple one-pager for addressing low-income livelihoods in a development project.
Strategies for lasting livelihoods: An example
A simple one-pager for addressing low-income livelihoods in a development project.
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Strategies%20for%20lasting%20livelihoods%20-%2012-19-2014.pdf
Telling Your WealthWorks Story: Guide for Storytellers
A guide to help practitioners tell their wealthbuilding story using the WealthWorks framework
Telling Your WealthWorks Story: Guide for Storytellers
A guide to help practitioners tell their wealthbuilding story using the WealthWorks framework
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Guide%20for%20Storytellers.pdf
Thinking ownership and control: Types and examples
A simple one-pager listing the different types of ownership and control strategies.
Thinking ownership and control: Types and examples
A simple one-pager listing the different types of ownership and control strategies.
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Thinking%20ownership%20and%20control%20-%2012-19-2014.pdf
Building Your Stock of Wealth
A description of stocks and flows of capital
Building Your Stock of Wealth
A description of stocks and flows of capital
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Stock%20vs%20Flow%20Handout.pdf
Evaluation Framework
Rural wealth creation is an approach to community and economic development that is demand-driven, focusing on market opportunities that capitalize on a community’s existing assets or underutilized resources. Wealth creation is intentionally inclusive, building lasting livelihoods for those who...
Evaluation Framework
Rural wealth creation is an approach to community and economic development that is demand-driven, focusing on market opportunities that capitalize on a community’s existing assets or underutilized resources. Wealth creation is intentionally inclusive, building lasting livelihoods for those who...
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/evaluation_framework.pdf
Harnessing local energy: An energy retrofits example
A simple one-page example showing how a development professional may assess the interests of diverse players in a regional development project.
Harnessing local energy: An energy retrofits example
A simple one-page example showing how a development professional may assess the interests of diverse players in a regional development project.
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/HarnessingLocalEnergy-2015-02-02.pdf
Spider Diagram: Assessing Wealth in a Sector
A tool for conducting a preliminary assessment of capitals in a sector
Spider Diagram: Assessing Wealth in a Sector
A tool for conducting a preliminary assessment of capitals in a sector
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Spider%20Diagram-Assessing%20Wealth%20in%20a%20Sector.pdf
Potential partners in an organic tomato soup value chain: An example
A simple one-pager giving an example of the partners in an organic tomato soup value chain.
Potential partners in an organic tomato soup value chain: An example
A simple one-pager giving an example of the partners in an organic tomato soup value chain.
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/PotentialPartners-2015-02-02.pdf
Value Chain Mapping and Identifying Opportunities
A tool for generating a preliminary map of a value chain
Value Chain Mapping and Identifying Opportunities
A tool for generating a preliminary map of a value chain
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Value%20Chain%20Mapping.pdf
Wealth-building investment: An example
A simple one-pager showing how a development professional might gather investment in a value chain and build wealth in the process.
Wealth-building investment: An example
A simple one-pager showing how a development professional might gather investment in a value chain and build wealth in the process.
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/WealthBuildingInvestment-2015-02-02.pdf
Engaging Low-Income Partners in a Value Chain
A presentation that covers ways low-income partners can be engaged in a value chain
Engaging Low-Income Partners in a Value Chain
A presentation that covers ways low-income partners can be engaged in a value chain
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Engaging%20Low-Income%20Partners%20in%20the%20Value%20Chain.pdf
Formalizing Your Business: A WealthWorks Guide for Coordinators and Coaches
This guide is one of two pieces written to assist WealthWorks value chain coordinators or coaches in working with businesses and demand partners that are part of WealthWorks value chains. This guide is designed to walk readers through one of the most important legal issues that affect small...
Formalizing Your Business: A WealthWorks Guide for Coordinators and Coaches
This guide is one of two pieces written to assist WealthWorks value chain coordinators or coaches in working with businesses and demand partners that are part of WealthWorks value chains. This guide is designed to walk readers through one of the most important legal issues that affect small...
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/formalizingyourbusinesswealthworksvaluechainguide_0.pdf
Hints for Productive Conversations with Demand
A guide for conversations with potential demand partners in your value chain
Hints for Productive Conversations with Demand
A guide for conversations with potential demand partners in your value chain
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Demand%20Conversations.pdf
WealthWorks Value Chain Business Law Guide: A WealthWorks Guide for Coordinators and Coaches
This guide is one of two pieces written to assist WealthWorks value chain coordinators or coaches in working with businesses and demand partners that are part of WealthWorks value chains. This guide is written to assist WealthWorks coordinators, coaches, and participants in anticipating common...
WealthWorks Value Chain Business Law Guide: A WealthWorks Guide for Coordinators and Coaches
This guide is one of two pieces written to assist WealthWorks value chain coordinators or coaches in working with businesses and demand partners that are part of WealthWorks value chains. This guide is written to assist WealthWorks coordinators, coaches, and participants in anticipating common...
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/wealthworksvaluechainlawguide.pdf
Roles of the Coordinator Team
The Coordinator Roles Handout describes some of the roles that these coordinating entities can and do play
Roles of the Coordinator Team
The Coordinator Roles Handout describes some of the roles that these coordinating entities can and do play
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Coordinator%20Roles%20Handout.pdf
Building Rural Wealth Through Inclusive Business: a Primer on Private Sector Engagement for Community Impact
The final report from the Red Mantra Group on Building Wealth Through Inclusive Business is now available. Inclusive Business is an approach to economic development in which one or more large corporations are the primary demand partners. For corporations that see it in their self-interest to...
Building Rural Wealth Through Inclusive Business: a Primer on Private Sector Engagement for Community Impact
The final report from the Red Mantra Group on Building Wealth Through Inclusive Business is now available. Inclusive Business is an approach to economic development in which one or more large corporations are the primary demand partners. For corporations that see it in their self-interest to...
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/buildingruralwealththroughinclusivebusiness.pdf
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Tool
The SWOT Handout offers useful instructions for completing a SWOT analysis with a twist—organizing your analysis by multiple forms of capital
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Tool
The SWOT Handout offers useful instructions for completing a SWOT analysis with a twist—organizing your analysis by multiple forms of capital
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/swot.pdf
Private Sector Engagement Toolkit
The Private Sector Engagement Toolkit helps users think about how they will connect with the demand side of the markets they are in. The Toolkit is designed to help WealthWorks value chain coordinators as well as individual businesses within a value chain. The Toolkit focuses on why and how to...
Private Sector Engagement Toolkit
The Private Sector Engagement Toolkit helps users think about how they will connect with the demand side of the markets they are in. The Toolkit is designed to help WealthWorks value chain coordinators as well as individual businesses within a value chain. The Toolkit focuses on why and how to...
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/privatesectortoolkitfinalversion-websize.pdf
Guide for Organizing a Prosperity Summit
These guidelines will help you create a leadership team, identify an economic sector to focus on during the Summit, and get the right people to the Summit. We also share some logistical information to help with your planning.
Guide for Organizing a Prosperity Summit
These guidelines will help you create a leadership team, identify an economic sector to focus on during the Summit, and get the right people to the Summit. We also share some logistical information to help with your planning.
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Organizing%20a%20Prosperity%20Summit.pdf
Keeping Wealth Local: Shared Ownership and Wealth Control for Rural Communities
Resources do not represent community wealth unless communities own and control them. This report introduces the concept of shared ownership, then describes and explores various models, looking at strengths, weaknesses, the range of applications, expertise required, and sources of assistance.
Keeping Wealth Local: Shared Ownership and Wealth Control for Rural Communities
Resources do not represent community wealth unless communities own and control them. This report introduces the concept of shared ownership, then describes and explores various models, looking at strengths, weaknesses, the range of applications, expertise required, and sources of assistance.
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/keeping%20wealth%20local.pdf
Sample Prosperity Summit Agenda
A sample agenda to help as you plan your own Prosperity Summit
Sample Prosperity Summit Agenda
A sample agenda to help as you plan your own Prosperity Summit
https://www.wealthworks.org/sites/default/files/resources/Sample%20Prosperity%20Summit%20Agenda_1.pdf
Videos introducing WealthWorks
Videos profiling individual value chains
Introduction to WealthWorks
An introduction to the three guiding goals and major components of implementing a rural wealth creation approach to local economic development known as WealthWorks. If you are already familiar with WealthWorks we hope this is a useful refresher. If you are discovering the approach for the first...
Introduction to WealthWorks
An introduction to the three guiding goals and major components of implementing a rural wealth creation approach to local economic development known as WealthWorks. If you are already familiar with WealthWorks we hope this is a useful refresher. If you are discovering the approach for the first...
Selecting a Sector & Defining a Market Opportunity
In the WealthWorks approach to economic development, communities select sectors and identify specific market opportunities within those sectors that can build wealth in their regions. This video provides guidance on selecting a sector in your region and narrowing your focus to a specific market...
Selecting a Sector & Defining a Market Opportunity
In the WealthWorks approach to economic development, communities select sectors and identify specific market opportunities within those sectors that can build wealth in their regions. This video provides guidance on selecting a sector in your region and narrowing your focus to a specific market...
Mapping & Analyzing a Value Chain
Once you have narrowed your focus to a specific market opportunity, the next step is to map and analyze the value chain of that market opportunity. We define a value chain, how to map it, and then how to use that map to find opportunities that can generate long-lasting benefits for your...
Mapping & Analyzing a Value Chain
Once you have narrowed your focus to a specific market opportunity, the next step is to map and analyze the value chain of that market opportunity. We define a value chain, how to map it, and then how to use that map to find opportunities that can generate long-lasting benefits for your...
Analyzing Market Demand
This video walks you through a set of principles to better understand the central role of market demand in the WealthWorks approach and how to start analyzing market demand for a value chain in your region to identify opportunities to generate long-lasting benefits for your community.
Analyzing Market Demand
This video walks you through a set of principles to better understand the central role of market demand in the WealthWorks approach and how to start analyzing market demand for a value chain in your region to identify opportunities to generate long-lasting benefits for your community.
