Municipal leaders find it hard enough to think ahead for one annual funding cycle; focusing on the future is not always a top priority. Having foresight to adopt policies and plan for the eventualities will position you to be a step ahead, and will create a more efficient way to provide much-needed infrastructure, materials, equipment and staffing. Moreover, it will prepare you for unexpected events that stress communities to the point that could make it hard to bounce back from without proper strategies. Future-Focused strategies are the key to successfully planning and managing the needs of your community and give you a leg up on preserving the quality of life for your residents.
What Is a Future-Focused Community?
It all starts with policy. Policy is the foundation of good government. A Future-Focused Community must envision who they want to be in the future and create a roadmap to get there through policy adoption. Some folks see policy as a political statement that is meaningless when not put into action.
Mirriam-Webster defines “policy” (noun) as:
- prudence or wisdom in the management of affairs
- management or procedure based primarily on material interest
- a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in light of given conditions to guide and determine present and future decisions
- a high-level overall plan embracing the general goals and acceptable procedures, especially of a governmental body
Policy development is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each city or town has its own unique values and challenges. Developed cities, growing suburbs and rural areas each face distinct challenges. Local ordinances, regulations and comprehensive master plans can guide new development, redevelopment and economic development to create lasting changes in how people live, work, learn and play. These plans are the policy documents of municipalities. Through the establishment of the goals, objectives, strategies and activities in these documents, policymakers spell out what they envision their community to look like in 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 years. Developing policies and thinking about these goals, challenges and need for change is where local leaders can solidify themselves as a Future-Focused Community.
Future-Focused Communities:
- Encourage sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact.
- Promote education and skill development for future job markets.
- Foster inclusivity by engaging diverse voices in decision-making.
- Invest in technology and infrastructure that supports innovation.
- Build partnerships with local organizations to address community needs.
- Create platforms for collaboration and idea-sharing among residents.
Why Communities Must Think Beyond Today’s Challenges
Population Changes
The only sure thing in life and municipal government is that things inevitably change. Markets change, politics change and populations change. Population growth and loss challenge urban, suburban and rural communities alike. Market demand for new suburban development can strain transportation, utilities, food access and connections to employment centers. Zoning updates, redevelopment and investment in existing urban areas can more efficiently address population shifts, while funding should also support responsible urban expansion into suburbs. These changes also affect public safety, emergency services and community character; as demographics shift, public safety leaders may need additional training and outreach to build trust.
Workforce Changes
Workforce training and higher education choices also have long-term effects. Decades of emphasis on four-year degrees have contributed to skilled-trade shortages. By 2030, an estimated 21 million skilled trades jobs in the U.S. could go unfilled, with potential economic losses reaching $1 trillion anually, according to U.S. Department of Education estimates cited in a new report from JLL shared exclusively with Fortune.
By supporting diverse training programs, cities can better adapt to economic shifts and keep residents employed. AI is already reshaping work; a CBS News MoneyWatch article by Megan Cerullo cites Stanford research identifying highly affected fields such as software engineering, customer service, accounting, auditing, administrative work, computer programming and sales. Leaders have the ability now to plan for these workforce shortages and adopt policies that will lead to job training in advance of unemployment. It is always better to be prepared on solid footing than to be caught off balance and scramble to respond. Planning in advance for technology changes and AI Impacts will set a community up for success when change is in the air.
Climate and Infrastructure Changes
Climate and disaster resilience and aging Infrastructure demands are not topics that are independent of one another. Property and infrastructure damage is crippling for both residents and communities when hurricanes, flooding, heat waves, tornadoes and power loss are experienced due to weather events. What is damaged? Roads, bridges, homes, utility infrastructure, trees, vehicles and transportation services. Developing and adopting Future-Focused policies to be prepared for these eventualities is the key to putting them into action when they occur; thinking ahead and developing policies that mitigate the impacts in planning and capital investments reduce the impacts. Climate and infrastructure planning should be grounded in policy, reviewed annually through reports to the governing body and used to guide budget recommendations and local action.
How Do You Leverage Limited Municipal Resources with Grant Funding?
I’ve connected the dots that policies lay the foundation for good planning that leads to Future-Focused Communities — the next question is, how to fund it? Grants help communities prepare for the future through the identification of funding sources that supplement limited public resources that help prepare for:
- Plan development
- Broadband expansion
- Public safety technology
- Workforce development
- Infrastructure modernization
- Sustainability initiatives
- Resiliency and Climate Change
How Do You Obtain This Funding for Your Community?
- The first step is establishing the policy – you believe and affirm that you want to be a Future-Focused Community.
- The second step is to confirm that you believe investment in becoming a Future-Focused Community is worth it.
- The third step is to enable your staff and consultants to get it done.
Conclusion
Writing successful grants requires commitment, time and talent. Successful grant-funded projects are written to solve problems and measure outcomes. They require community partnerships that are developed through sustainability plans that are scalable and achievable.
Aspire to be a successful Future-Focused Community by seeking out grants to put your policy and plans into action and make meaningful change in your community.
Visit the NLC Strategic Partnerships page to learn more about organizations like GrantFinder by Lexipol dedicated to making NLC the premier resource for local governments.
About the Author
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