by Latricia Good

With state and national economies receiving frequent attention from experts and analysts around the country, the structure and influence of local economies often goes overlooked. But with local economies having a significant impact on citizens? day-to-day lives, local leaders play a unique role in improving economic vitality and competitiveness locally as well as advancing the United States? economic development goals.

In an effort to give delegates the resources and tools needed to build and sustain a strong economy in their cities and towns, NLC will sponsor a workshop series, ?How to Keep Your Economy Strong,? at its Congress of Cities and Exposition in Reno, Nev., Dec. 5-9. Examining ongoing and emerging fiscal challenges facing leaders at the local level, experts will highlight trends affecting local economies and discuss innovative approaches to effectively confront these challenges.

The success of a local government economic development plan is significantly dependent upon a city?s ability to adapt to the rapidly changing national and global economic environment, according to some experts. Therefore, local leaders must think strategically about how to structure their economic development plans, taking into consideration their cities? unique conditions and how they help or hinder its economic development efforts.

Through this workshop series, delegates will learn how to assess their cities? unique needs in order to design and implement a targeted local economic development strategy. By actively examining their economic base and understanding their cities? distinctive obstacles to growth and investment, local leaders can be successful at building on and maintaining their cities? economic strengths.

Another key tool many experts say can effectively build a strong local economy is working collectively with community stakeholders. By enlisting the expertise and input of public, business and nongovernmental partners, city officials can work comprehensively to create better conditions for economic growth within their local communities.

Experts presenting during the workshop series will provide examples of local governments that are thriving in today?s global economy and how they have managed to rely on a variety of community investments to achieve economic goals.

Panelists in this series will also discuss the advantage of developing regional partnerships to advance economic development efforts. Many local leaders are unaware of the various opportunities available for their communities to collaborate with other communities in order to maximize resources and help their economies grow across regions. Speakers will stress the importance of regional collaboration in economic development efforts and offer examples of how regional approaches have aided communities large and small in building their fiscal and operational capacities.

Also addressed during the series will be issues such as how to better manage a city?s municipal assets to leverage economic development and how to develop strategies and plans to improve local economic development as it relates to a city?s low-income or disadvantaged groups.

Looking at issues ranging from downtown revitalization to affordable housing, experts will help local leaders think strategically about local investments and how they can devise a successful economic development plan. Panelists will also offer local, regional and global resources for expanding economic growth.

After attending workshops in this series, local leaders will be able to assess their cities or towns? economic strengths and weaknesses in order to develop targeted strategies for economic development and create a sustainable plan to examine and support economic growth at the local level.

Sample workshops in this series include:

? Finding Your City?s Economic Niche;

? Best Practices and Approaches to Downtown Revitalization;

? Achieving Economic Success in the Global Market;

? Local Strategies to Promote Homeownership;

? Assessment Tools for Planning Housing and Economic Development; and

? City Efforts to Strengthen Families.

Details: Go to Congress of Cities and Exposition for details and to register online.