Objectives: This course surveys contemporary methods of economic and social development planning, community leadership, and analysis techniques. Emphasis is on regional planning and development of project proposals.

Instructor:     Dr. H.W. Bullamore
                    311 Dunkle Hall, 687-4413 (voice mail available)
                    Office Hours: 9:00-10:50 MWF; 8:30-9:20 TR

Text: Edward J. Blakely, Planning Local Economic Development, 2^nd Edition.
Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Evaluation:

30% -- Midterm Exam (Oct. 22)
30% -- Final Exam (Dec. 13)
30% -- Independent Project (due Dec. 3)
10% -- Class and Field Trip participation

Both the midterm and final exams have a mixture of short answer and essay questions. Exams will reflect class presentations and discussions as well as assigned reading.

The independent project is a research paper which will take the form of a "Prospectus for Economic Development." Each student will prepare a proposal for government assistance in a development project by a firm. Final written paper is due December 3. Each student will also present an oral summary of the project (time permitting).

The class field trip is Wednesday, October 6, 1999.

Trip will visit several sites in the Baltimore City area related to economic development of the city. The trip will leave at approximately 6:45 a.m. Participation on this trip is required.

Policies:

            Students are expected to attend each class. A student with four or more unexcused absences, will suffer the loss of a letter grade for the course. Academic honesty is expected in all matters relating to this course. Please consult Pathfinder. Academic dishonesty will lead to course failure.

Class Schedule:

Reserve Reading List
Geography 421
Fall 1999

1. C. David Loeks, "Planning for Metropolitan Regions," Chapter 17 in John Levey, ed. Contemporary Urban Planning, 1990, p. 258. (Xerox copy)
2. APA, The Practice of State and Regional Planning, p. 63. Robert G. Benko and Irving Hand, "State Planning Today," Chapter 3. (request book)
3. Maryland Department of Economic and Community Development, Maryland, USA, 1985. (Xerox copy)
4. Peter S. Fisher, "State Venture Capital Funds as an Economic Development Strategy," JAPA, Spring 1998, p. 166. (Xerox copy)
5. So, The Practice of Local Government Planning, p. 139. Sandra Rosenbloom, "Transportation Planning," Chapter 6. (text for 450)
6. So, The Practice of Local Government Planning, p. 330. Elizabeth Howe, "Social Aspects of Physical Planning," Chapter 11. (text for 450)

As a typical of activities in contemporary planning agencies, most projects allow very little time for completion of the assigned task. This project must be completed by 4:30 p.m. on December 3.

The situation is this:

        The county and an industrial firm are engaged in negotiations about the establishment of a new business in the county's industrial park. The county is interested in creating as many new jobs as possible, while the industrial firm is interested in financial support for its project.

        Your report will reflect the communications between the business developer and the county. Four items are involved.

1)       Letter of application

A cover letter from a business formally requesting support from the county in order to establish a business in a county industrial park. Such a cover letter is usually brief and formal in tone. It should be addressed to:

Mr. John Smith, Director
County Economic Development Authority
County Court House
County Seat, MD 21000

The development proposal explains in detail the proposed business and the support required from the Economic Development Authority. It is an attempt to assure the Authority that the business is viable in the local area and that it would have a significant long-term positive impact on the local area. The proposal must also ensure the business has capable management.
There is no required format for the development proposal. The order of presentation may be altered to better present your proposal. However, the following is a possible outline. The attached sheet provides an alternative outline.

1. Introduction to the Firm
   (What product or service, scale of operation, building requirements)
2. Advantages of the Local Area
(access to markets and raw materials, local education or services)
3. Required Assistance from Local Government
(space, bonds, loans, employee training, or other)
4. Impacts
start dates, plans for expansion, benefits of construction, long term expected impacts, employees, multipliers. This section should include a cost benefit analysis of the project from the perspective of the county.)
5. Final Arguments
(Benefits to public agency clearly greater than costs)

3)        Resume

A professional resume of the principal project developer. (Make this, however, a real resume of your own as of April 1996.) You may include in the Development Proposal narrative any verbal description of your business skills and experience your desire, even if exaggerated.

4)        Economic Development Authority Response

Change your perspective and prepare a critical response to the development proposal. You may decline it, but seek to "lead the developer on" by suggesting needed changes. This will be done in the form of a business letter addressed to yourself from Mr. John Smith.

        Project evaluation will include both content and presentation. Please note that this project requires three different types of writing skills: the business letter, the resume, and an aggressive proposal. Please consult with your instructor if you have difficulty in recognizing the differences from a traditional term paper.

        The style may vary as you prefer, but clear, consistent presentation is necessary. In terms of length, business letters lose impact if they are too long -- limit them to one or two pages. The development proposal may be up to ten pages. The resume should be as long as is needed. No formal documentation is required, however, citations to other projects should be used where appropriate. A site map is generally helpful.

        The oral presentation of the project proposal will be during the last two weeks of class. The format will be that of a developer making a request for financial assistance from the county commissioners.