stronger economies together (set)
DESCRIPTION
Stronger Economies Together (SET). Strategies for Building New Economic Opportunities. Webinar for Potential Phase III Applicants January 6, 2012. WELCOME. Today’s Agenda Introduction of the National SET Coordinators The value of the SET Program - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Stronger Economies Together (SET)
Strategies for Building New Economic Opportunities
Webinar for Potential Phase III ApplicantsJanuary 6, 2012
WELCOMEToday’s Agenda
•Introduction of the National SET Coordinators•The value of the SET Program
Judy Canales, Administrator, USDA RD Rural Business and Cooperative Programs
•Brief overview of SET•The SET Phase III application process•If you get selected . . . what’s ahead?•Questions from you
Lead Agencies & Partners• SET Lead Agencies:
USDA Rural Development Four Regional Rural Development Centers
• Key partners: Extension and research faculty from land-grant
universities in the U.S. National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA Economic Development Administration, U.S.
Department of Commerce
The National SETCoordinating Team
Southern Rural Development Center
Bo Beaulieu Director
Rachel Welborn Program Manager
USDA RD
David Sears Director Regional Innovation Team
Suzette Agans Specialist, Community & Economic Development
The Value of the SET Program
Judy CanalesAdministratorRural Business and Cooperative ProgramsUSDA Rural DevelopmentWashington, DC
Overview of SET
Purpose:Help rural communities/counties to work together as a regional team in developing and implementing an economic development blueprint that builds on the current and emerging economic strengths of their region.
Phases I and II SET States19 States – 39 Regions
What SET Provides Regional Teams
The Nine SET Training Modules
The Phase III Application Process
• Eligibility
• State Partner Team (SPT) and State Training Team (STT) Roles and Responsibilities
• Important attributes of the SPT and STT
The Phase III Application Process• Clear commitments by both:
• USDA RD State Director and • Extension Director and/or Administrator
• Development of a solid recruitment plan
NOTE: Regions should not be decided at this point. It’s important to a allow communities or counties to self-define themselves as a region.
Scoring of Proposals
• Guidelines on page 12 of the application
• Review team composed of RD and Extension staff
• Anticipated decision announcements by mid-February
If You Get Selected . . . What Is Ahead?
• To get strong applications from regions in your state, the SPT will work with the National team on the request for proposals for use in your state.
• STT will attend national SET training (June 2012) Typically 3 persons: 1 RD and 2 Extension RD pays own travel; We pay for the 2 Extension reps. Funds may be available to include 1 non-RD/non-
Extension member (a 4th person at the training). Other STT members may be able to attend if you have
resources for them to attend and if space is available.
If You Get Selected . . . What Is Ahead?
• Funds provided to support SET: Partial salary/fringe support for ONE Extension educator In-state travel for Extension educator delivering training Meeting-related expenses Long-distance telephone calls
• RD staff will use their own travel funds to support their SET activities.
Frequently Asked Questions• Is SET a duplication of EDA’s Economic
Development District work or CEDS?
• Will regions be provided a USDA RD grant at the end of the SET planning process?
• What is the anticipated time commitment?
• Where can I find additional information on SET? http://srdc.msstate.edu/set/
Brief Timeline of ActivitiesMonth ActivitiesJanuary SET Webinar; State SET applications completed/submitted
February SET states selected; SPT develops request for proposals and finalizes implementation/communications plan
March SPT reaches out to counties/communities across the state giving special attention to rural disadvantaged areas
April SET applications from regions submitted; SPT recommends 1-2 regions to USDA RD; STT members to be part of the national training finalized.
May USDA RD finalizes selection of SET regions
June National SET training workshop
Summer Initial meeting with selected regions to finalize SET; STT members finalize SET training responsibilities; SPT/STTs take part in monthly national SET Phase III conference calls
Sept/October Launch SET in each targeted region; continue to take part in monthly national SET conference calls.
Your Turn
Contact Information
• Bo Beaulieu – [email protected]
• Rachel Welborn – [email protected]
• David Sears – [email protected]
• Suzette Agans -- [email protected]