Cheap Rural Economic Development

Cheap Economic Development Idea

Practical steps for local prosperity without investing a lot of cash

27 minute recorded video to watch on your schedule
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Commerce builds communities.

While we were working on videos to help small towns recover from the pandemic and economic downturn, we couldn’t get away from the bad economic decisions we see rural people make over and over. We want to help you avoid some of those.

Old School economic development is all about hunting for smokestacks, paying experts to recruit outside businesses, and jobs, jobs, jobs.

It’s hard to get old way thinkers to let you try new ideas, and it’s hard to get new way ideas when people are still training on the old way.

You can avoid some mistakes with a little economic self defense.

You'll learn what to say no to, what to stop doing and how to save money by not doing it.

The self defense way all about your local entrepreneurs.

7 places to uncover emerging entrepreneurs to support

Plus 6 places to look online

5 Up-to-date ideas for succession planning

And the jaw dropping simple tool that Deb used to change old-way thinking

How Deb improvised an incubator project and filled empty buildings downtown

Expand your entrepreneur base with more diverse potential entrepreneurs already in your community.

Yes, expanding economic opportunity to more diverse people is part of real economic development. Experts with a good understanding of rural communities like Ady Advantage have recognized this.

Look around your town. Who could become your future entrepreneurs?

Young people
People with low incomes
Latino or Hispanic people
Black people
Indigenous or Native people

You'll learn practical steps to improve their chances as entrepreneurs, and you'll pull down barriers to entry for everyone.

Find out

And you'll build a more unified community.

Throughout 2021, we're focused on helping you build a more unified community. With all the forces that feel like they're pulling us apart, we want to help local communities like yours join together better.

Here's how locally owned businesses can help strengthen your community.

Local businesses are your best Third Places, giving people places outside of home and work to interact with each other.
Local businesses help people build empathy and think from each other's perspective.
Local business owners are stakeholders with a vested interest in the success of the community.

You can trust SaveYour.Town's Becky McCray and Deb Brown to share practical advice for rural communities.

We are both small town entrepreneurs. We've been trained in traditional economic, workforce and organization development. So we understand that old way thinking. But we didn't stop there.

Deb Brown and Becky McCray joined forces in May 2015 to help small towns and rural communities thrive. They developed the Idea Friendly Method out of their own personal experiences in business, agriculture, entrepreneurship, nonprofits and government.

You'll get the full 26 minute video you can watch on your own and share with others in your community.

This video is perfect for:

Economic development, industrial and jobs development groups, boards and staff
Chambers, Main Streets, downtown groups and others who work on economic development
Cities, towns, municipalities
Tribes, First Nations and Indigenous governments, and economic development organizations
Businesspeople who care about their community, from captains of rural industry to everyday people in business
Banks and other community oriented businesses
Anyone who wants their town to be more prosperous

Not another tiresome webinar

Short, to the point video
Watch instantly on your schedule: anytime, on demand, starting now
Recorded so you can pause, stop, rewind or watch again immediately

You won't waste time waiting for everyone to sign in or sitting through long introductions. You don't have to put up with technical glitches or annoying background noise from inconsiderate participants. No one will fumble around with how to control their video or say "Can you see my screen?"

You get personal access to Becky and Deb via message, email and comment. We do answer your questions personally!

Cheap Economic Development Ideas - video with Deb Brown and Becky McCray

26 minute video

Available immediately - no waiting

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Is this video recorded so I can watch later?

Yes, the video is recorded, and you'll be able to watch it immediately as soon as you complete your purchase. You are welcome to watch the video more than once, start and stop, or go back and watch again. You're not limited to watching from a single computer or with just one group.

Can I get a copy of the slides?

You get a transcript plus an audio-only version. You also get a downloadable PDF with the links to the special resources we mention.

What if I have questions?

You can ask questions two ways: in the comment box or via email. We always answer you personally. You can also share stories or examples you've seen. That helps everyone!

Will the video play on my computer? Or on my phone?

Either one! If you can watch a YouTube video, you can watch this video. That means you can use any device, any screen that can load a web page for you to login. Any PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android phone or tablet, smart TV or TV with a streaming box or stick should work.
You don't need blazing fast internet.

Can I share the video with other people?

Yes! Once you’re registered, you can schedule more than one viewing so you reach as many people as possible. We encourage you to watch on your own or set up a virtual watch party.

How long should I make a watch party?

For a watch party, schedule 45 -50 minutes. You'll want that extra time to discuss what you watched and to network and talk with each other.

Who should I invite?

Your friends who love to do things with you
Visionaries like yourself
Downtown associations, Main Streets, chambers and economic developers
Positive thinkers and doers
Leaders and regular people
Community foundations and leadership groups
Elected officials from your local municipalities, counties or tribes
Business with a community focus, like banks and utilities
People who care about your town

What people say about SaveYour.Town videos

This video stimulated lots of note-taking and conversation between the business owners gathered at my house. Deb and Becky gave us some new ideas and several excellent examples of known models. I think some of us are thinking of pivoting our summer’s plans after participating in Wednesday’s event. Thanks for a well-thought out presentation!

Jonya Pacey, Minnesota

What a TERRIFIC marketing Video. I had 20 businesses show up to watch and they all left with new ideas and an excitement to get back and start implementing! I’ve already had 5 businesses reach out in less than 2 hours after it ended, that are already putting your ideas into action.

Mandy Walsh, City of Lampasas, Texas

There are always great take-aways from the videos that can be put into place immediately. One of my favorites is changing your store's evening vibe (different music, lighting, etc.) because evening shoppers are not the same as day time shoppers.

Diane Moore, Wheaton, Illinois

Videos by SaveYour.Town are fun way to learn some no-nonsense alternatives to community inertia.

Clark Hoskin, Ontario

Cheap Economic Development Ideas

26 minute video
Immediate access

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