“Human‐sized” economic development: Innovations in Missouri

Summary

Traditional approaches to community development have bypassed many poor communities. This paper reports on findings from a statewide survey of 171 organizations in Missouri about innovative approaches to community economic development (CED). These “human‐sized” CED approaches include homeownership, microenterprise, saving, and neighborhood development. Although enthusiastic, respondents identify challenges to service delivery, including funding, reaching low‐income families, staff recruitment and training, economic education, building partnerships, serving rural areas, and ensuring that the poor have a voice in their own development. Accordingly, recommendations for enhancing CED include increases in support to assist communities and households generate greater wealth, community participation, partnerships among public and private for‐profit and nonprofit entities, access to information and education on CED, public awareness, and attention to rural issues.

Keywords:

• Community economic development
• community participation
• asset building