Description

Business Retention and Recovery Cohort
An applied learning cohort program, August 19th-November 25th

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous, immediate and long term challenges for community economic development. The sudden emergence of these challenges and the dynamism of the last few months has created uncertainty for many involved in economic development. Tasks and mission changed overnight, federal and state programs emerged quickly, and physical-distancing required a rethinking of how best to connect and engage businesses. Community economic development (CED) staff and volunteers are being tasked with rapidly designing new local economic development programs, work patterns, and social networks. The magnitude, novelty, and urgency of the situation is taxing the CED workers’ resources, workloads, and individual emotional situations.Those on the front lines, responsible for  helping their community navigate the pandemic and preparing for economic recovery and rebuilding  are navigating uncharted waters.

To help them navigate, the University of Minnesota Extension’s Center for Community Vitality is launching an online peer-to-peer learning program to support these individuals as they seek answers and guidance to what lies ahead for community economic development. This offering will be an applied learning cohort. While it will be facilitated and resourced by the Extension Center for Community Vitality staff, it is designed to maximize engagement and discovery between and among the participants. It will provide content and guided discussion on a series of themes, some of which will be selected by the participants themselves. We also anticipate that the structure will allow for participants to develop a support network for their work now and into the future. Extension will provide facilitation, coaching, and technology tools to support the cohort over three months. Our promise is that we will guide participants by cultivating priority topics and timely responses to the emerging situation.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES FOR PARTICIPANTS

1. Benefit from peer-to-peer interactions, learning & skill-building about business retention & recovery for local economies

2. Build a network of peers striving to navigate this unparalleled situation

3. Strengthen confidence and ability to address unknown or uncomfortable aspects and issues emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic 

4. Address racial and socio-economic inequities in the recovery

5. Develop knowledge and skills to create an economic recovery plan for your community

PROGRAM DESIGN

A synchronous online platform (Zoom) will be used for eight  live sessions occurring every two weeks. The first five topics will be pre-designed and the last three topics will be designed with input from the participants. Materials, guest speakers, and discussion with the entire cohort will be enhanced by peer-to-peer discussion in small group format. The live sessions will be complemented by additional content and activities accessed through the UofMN Canvas Learning Management System.

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Economic development professionals in Minnesota 
• CVB & tourism professionals
• Chamber of Commerce Executives and board members
• Officials on EDA, HRA, CVB, and other local development boards

The first five sessions will cover these topics:

1. We’re in this together! Introduction to the applied learning cohort & topic - racial & socio-economic inequities

2. Showing businesses that you care - empathic listening

3. Creating appropriate questions for business retention & recovery purposes

4. It’s all about communications - techniques for staying in touch with key constituencies

5. Supporting businesses that need to pivot - tools & concepts

For sessions 6, 7 and 8 cohort participants will help choose the topics from this list: New financing tools, Triage in economic development, Funding ED work with diminished public and private sector funding available, Engaging broad-based partnerships, Special concerns for tourism and hospitality, Data resources to inform this work, Community engagement fundamentals (IAP2), Mobilizing others in your community for action (now that you’re mobilized, how do you keep that going longer term - rethinking for the future), Helping business people and the community move beyond bankruptcy and loss of business establishments, other: ___________________________

The cohort sessions will take place on these Wednesdays: Aug. 19, Sept. 2, Sept. 16, Sept. 30, Oct. 14, Oct. 28, Nov. 11, and Nov. 25. The sessions will be held 9-10:30 a.m. Each session is 90 minutes.

PLEASE FILL OUT THIS SURVEY TO CONVEY PREFERRED TOPICS

COURSE CONTACT
Michael Darger
darger@umn.edu
 

REGISTRATION ASSISTANCE
ext-reg@umn.edu
 

GUEST ACCOUNT LOGIN / PASSWORD HELP
612.301.4357
help@umn.edu