Community Economic Development

Partners for Community Solutions initiated our first Community Economic Development effort through an introduction for experts from Russia to one of our nation's leading examples of smart growth (Arlington County VA) and our most economically booming city (Washington, DC). Government, commerce and civic representatives met with their professional counterparts to learn from each other's attempts to make the local economy inclusive for all residents while continuing to attract business of every size.

Partners brought together specialists in housing, transportation and land development from cities throughout Russia with American institutions working on precisely the same issues: Arlington Economic Development, the Jair Lynch Companies, Mayor Fenty's Office of Economic Development in DC, ACORN, the Anacostia Watershed Corporation and Smart Growth America, among others.

Most importantly, the longer term gains are joint projects that participants are exploring: The acclaimed global ASHOKA does not yet have social entrepreneur fellowships in Russia because the definition there has eluded them—one of the Russian team members has taken on that challenge. Another is forming a business and trade alliance through the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. And Leadership Arlington, which invites local leaders from all community sectors to learn from and cross-energize their peers in a highly effective and cost efficient program, is easily replicable abroad—an idea that Partners is exploring.

Through one small seed grant from the unique Open World Leadership Center, the only international program funded by the US Congress, Partners will continue to explore our potential to team with others on inclusivity in community economic development. This page will serve to keep web visitors informed of our developments.