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How Can Gov 2.0 Promote Local Economic Development?

img_0005Seems that one of the perfect uses of social media and Web 2.0-style collaboration in local government is in economic development.

I’ve very interested in your thoughts, from regulatory issues to customer growth, how can Government 2.0 help small and emerging businesses do better?

Locally, I’m working with social media friends to put on a free training about citizen democracy and using social tools to build community and trust. I’m also interested in mapping out free wi-fi in my community and promoting businesses that offer it.

I’m interested in how government economic development offices can help create collaborative resources similar to “Love Tacoma” and “Third Places” to attract and retain local businesspeople. Love Tacoma is a Tacoma, WA, project to create social networks for young people and promote local activities; Third Places is a project of Charlotte, NC, that provides information on informal business spaces such as independent coffee shops with wi-fi where freelancers can gather.

What do you think? And if you’re familiar with the projects I cite above, how have they worked out?

adrielhampton

Adriel Hampton is a writer, strategist, and sometimes mindfulness practitioner.

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11 responses to “How Can Gov 2.0 Promote Local Economic Development?”

  1. Hi Adriel,

    You should check out Policypitch.com – policypitch is a platform that allows ordinary citizens to pitch new local and state policy ideas, provides tools to collaborate with others and gather resources to promote the ideas, and a platform for transforming that online communication into real world action.

    Also, check out destinationbroadmoor.com – its a crowdsourced real estate project in New Orleans, where hundreds of residents have joined to rebuild their neighborhood.

    Would love to connect….

    Zach
    Zach@policypitch.com

  2. Wow – sweet. Policypitch.com looks rad. What a great idea, Zach. One key is to make it easy. The other is to make it hip. Adriel is doing a fantastic job making governing hip again. Wait… I don’t recall the government ever being hip in my lifetime. So, this is all completely new to me.

    As for making it easy, that will engage the youth who are already spending much of their leisure time in front of a screen. Eventually, they could embed short, geography-based “ads” inside of online games (“Would you support a new skatepark on Main Street? Vote now!). Seriously, though. THAT is how easy we are going to have to make government 2.0. Society has been conditioned to order from photos on the Value Menu. It must be simple, and omnipresent. Creepy, but true.

  3. @Zach – Will take a look at the projects you mention. Thanks for dropping in!
    @John – Thanks for the support! I guess if Obama put campaign ads into video games we may need to reach out to the emerging generation in the same way if we are to connect. I am thinking about a post on how social networks are replacing organizations like fraternities (or supplementing?) and lodges.

  4. Yelp.

    Yelp and every merchant reviewing tool like it. That’s the future. That’s an excellent model that every community should have online. When Chambers of Commerce have their business directories, I ask myself, “Why?”

    I don’t care for a directory of businesses. That’s what Yellow Pages and 411 calls are for.

    If I want to know about Chamber businesses that thrive on tourism dollars and economic development earmarks, I look to places where I can read reviews and check ratings.

    Yelp.

  5. I agree that social media tools can enhance economic development efforts and have been frustrated that our local groups are not taking better advantage of Web 2.0. Here is what I wish I would see in our local area:

    -Our chamber pushes out regular emails to all of us – why not do this on Twitter? Faster and more efficient.

    -Several tourism agencies in IL are now using Twitter to push out notices of local events/attractions. I wish our area did this.

    -Our area could benefit from a cool mashup of Web 2.0 tools showing development opportunities like vacant land and buildings.

    -A lot of development in our area relies on grants and state programs. Social media would enhance the communication between locals and state agencies.

    -Local restaurants should be sending out Tweets of their specials, especially around 10 to 11 am when I am thinking about what to eat for lunch!

    I guess I could go on and on. What would really help is some guide or training like you talked about that would lay out some advice and examples for people to implement.

  7. In Italy you have http://www.progettokublai.net/ , where creative people help each other to run effective culture-based local development projects. The guy running it is presenting at the public services 2.0 event in Brussels and you will find audio/video +ppt on the website. We’re working on live streaming.

  11. Metwell Management Consultants said – Consumers have unmatched selection of elastic channels, products and world-wide retailers from which to choose and the current market is more sophisticated than it has ever been. We see manufacturers and retailers are aggressive in their competitive pricing, marketing budgets and offering less services; for some and this practice does not always lead to an intended higher profit.

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