With a new grant from the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory, NCGrowth is working with ncIMPACT at the UNC School of Government to identify best practices of local responses to COVID-19. Results will be shared via webinar and reports with new case studies for Homegrown Tools.
The Homegrown Tools platform houses case studies of economic development, telling the story of communities that have successfully stimulated private investment and job creation. The tool connects public officials, practitioners, and researchers to successful economic development strategies and inspires communities to leverage their unique assets. Fourty-four case studies are included in the tool, covering 18 different strategies and more than 20 years of perspective. In recent months, updates have been added to several cases including the case from Houston, Minnesota.
Well before the COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the essential nature of rural broadband and online learning, in 2006 Houston, Minnesota created an online learning program to reach rural students and bring both computers and better, more widespread broadband internet access to community residents. Currently, Houston’s residents have access to nine different internet service providers. Houston, MN continues to showcase the long-term value of committed public-private partnerships and dedication to technological progress in a rural area.
You can read about the details of this case, as well as many others, at homegrowntools.unc.edu.