Certified Communities Programs

The concept of a certifying communities as "economic development ready" is a good one.

Many states and some regions operate programs of this type. The process generally focuses on equipping a community (or a county) with the basics in supporting economic development. These programs offer a good beginning point in getting ready for economic development.

Truthfully, the process of getting ready is a continuous one, requiring the community to assess its readiness to tackle a wide array of challenges and opportunities. I like to think of this as a continuous improvement process and one that focuses on "performance."

There are many examples of certified communities programs out there. Click here to see how New Mexico operates its program.