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design:SD — More on the Boards
April 2nd, 2009 by Mike Knutson
Design:SD is a lot of fun because we don’t focus on financing – or more specifically, the lack of it. Instead, the team and community spend a lot of time brainstorming and imagining creative projects. Unfortunately, what sometimes happens next is that the design team leaves, and community members are left wondering, “Where is the money going to come from?”
In Deuel, the design team didn’t even get out of town before the question was asked. In response, the team created a board with a list of funding opportunities to address the question. (see slide below)
The point behind the board was that lots of funding opportunities exist: so the task becomes matching the funding source with the type of project being developed.
After the board was done, team members began identifying opportunities not listed and we added a couple more ideas (see DOT Enhancement Grant and HOME Funds). We could have added many others (like USDA Rural Development programs) as well, but decided the board wasn’t big enough. In any case, the list is far from complete.
A bit of further advice
As I reflect on the slide, I can’t help but offer some further advice.
People often worry about funding way too early in a project’s lifespan. Rather than focus on money, community members should begin by prioritizing the community’s needs and developing a ranked list of projects that meet those needs.
Once complete the community can take the first few projects off the list and begin developing them, including their cost estimates. It is at this point that attention should be focused on both local resources and outside funding opportunities like those described on the board.
At that point, projects either acquire the necessary funding or they don’t. If they don’t, projects may have to go back on the list and wait. The list may also need to be reprioritized. It has been my experience, however, that if the project has merit, the support of the community, and is well thought out, the project will find its funding.
I am offering this advice because it seems that if too much attention is directed at funding at the start, projects appear unrealistic and nothing ever gets started. But if the energy goes into developing a good project that meets the community’s needs, the funding will eventually materialize.
Tags: community design, design charrette, Design SD, Deuel County SD, funding, revolving loan fund
Posted in Community Engagement, Economic Development, Housing, Leadership, Rural | Comments (
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