Economic development and community development are closely related if not one and the same in many places. The definition of community below indicates why. Because of the relationship, Local Development is the section of the Enterprise and Economic Development Library where community development resources are found.

community:

... a place where people live and share things in common (source of quote).

The quote suggests the social element of community life without mention of the economy that makes sustainability possible. Often, however, when front-page public decisions on development are reported in the community they have either an element of economic gain or one of expressed concern for social and environmental consequences.

History time and again accounts for boom town events that create communities or cause them to burst into prosperity. Economic development comes first but over time the preservation of the community as a place where people want to live comfortably comes into play.

Although development by its simplest definition is change, a drag is created by sustainability discussions on the social side of the community. Most discussions are places where what is seen is that which blooms above ground for a season, as opposed to the roots below which are nurtured by the economic dynamics. Change is a fact of life, even for communities.

A sustainable community has social cohesion as well as an environment which can withstand the demands put upon it. It is supported by an economy.

A typical community attempting to meet its sustainability challenges takes two parallel approaches to development: One approach is to have a community development effort that addresses the social elements of community life that are, in a word, substandard.

Community development efforts blend into economic development which is equally necessary for people who live and share things in common in a location. Community development at its best improves and maintains an infrastructure that makes economic vitality possible. The clear responsibility for the economic developer is to recognize and seize control of opportunities for sustainability in accord with what the community needs long-term.

definition of community where community and economic development are coordinated

community economic development:

... the enterprise and economic development process as it takes place in the community where it should be integrated with the opportunities and concerns for social change. Community development is sometimes defined in a way that separates it from changes brought about by the influence and leadership of business decision makerssee 10 important elements for local economic development converted to 12 important items of consideration for successful community economic development. The Centre for Community Enterprise website devotes a page to discussion of community economic development.

what communities are of interest to site selectors and companies on the move

communities of interest to enterprise developers and site selectors:

... locations that appear to measure up to a set of criteria for bringing a project for expansion, relocation or new venture startup to successful conclusion in the eyes of an enterprise developer and from which information needs to be gathered as a first step. Ultimately places of interest to enterprise developers and site selectors should be put through the test of comparative analysis. Smart communities get their acts together in advancesee places that want economic development and elements of community economic development. Also, Search for a Location in the .network introductory series may be of interest to all members of its target audience, which includes enterprise developers and site selectors.

what communities are of interest to site selectors and companies on the move

economic development network:

... an ally network. Appendix B of the .network glossary defines various networks.

what is a team that works together for community economic development called

elements of community economic development:

... The following 10 items delineate a practical order of important elements for places that what economic development. For this page 6 (page up) in the about economic development series (page 1) it is suggested that two additional elements be added to create a 12-step program for the process in a community having a balanced vitality. Additional elements to include are (1) integration of all community development processes into local enterprise and economic development and (2) maintenance of a ongoing dialogue with those who are leaders of social change (see the definition of community economic development). The latter effort is a best practices approach to sustaining a community in which the true wants and needs of its citizenry are allowed to influence change.

1.	a location
2.	a local team of allies, a plan and program
3.	a best practices approach
4.	networking
5.	demographics that support the identification of a labor market
6.	a transportation infrastructure
7.	a communications infrastructure
8.	an accommodating environment for enterprise development
9.	a prospect
10.	the ability to make deals, and deliver on promises basic elements of consideration for making economic development a process with ten elements to be considered for moving forward

what are the important elements of economic development to consider in a community

places that want economic development:

... are locations guided by any one or a combination of the definitions available on page 2 of About Economic Development as they position for response to opportunities. A location that wants economic development may address the concerns of citizens by organizing a community development initiative which includes giving consideration to issues affecting sustainability and/or development of it economy. A location wanting economic development starts out by taking care of its own. Organizing to distribute reliable information to prospects is one of the most important steps. Location data suppliers should be easy for prospects to find. They should have networking and marketing skills. Locations seriously seeking opportunities organize around a best practice approach.

what are places that want economic development / define a place that wants development

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