Accessing Resources for Rural Community Development Projects

1
Accessing Resources for Rural Community
Development Projects

• Rural Community
• Assistance Corporation

2
Outline

• Definitions, considerations, questions
• Project Development process
• Creating a project concept
• Forming a development team
• Selecting consultants
• Leveraging resources
• Utilizing Partnerships

3
Definitions

• Community development can include housing,
  infrastructure, facilities, business, and
  services.
• Resources may include staff, expertise, funding,
  and materials.
• Accessing resources involves communication,
  process, and time.

4
Rural communities have unique needs...

• Geographic remoteness
• Limited local capacity
• Project affordability
• Specific priorities
• Links to programs
• Smaller scale

5
Key Coordination of Information

• Community needs
• Funding programs
• Agencies/organizations
• Technical assistance
• Service providers

6
The Project Development process...
7
Creating a Project Concept
8
Project Concepts come from

• Recognized community needs
• Ongoing conversations
• Moments of brilliance
• Program information
• Requirements
• Innovation

9
Questions

• Why is there a need?
• Who may be interested?
• What resources are available?
• How can more support be developed?
• When does a project need to take place?

10
Why Defining the need

• Research information on a community issue
• Describe other relevant community issues
• Define the scope of the issue/problem
• Highlight community significance
• Provide background summary
• Consider goals and objectives

11
Who Identifying stakeholders

• Communicate issue to others
• Ask for input from individuals
• Identify relevant program information
• Target interested parties with expertise
• Prepare information for review by groups
• Invite potential stakeholders to discussion

12
What Targeting resources

• Research funding programs
• Discuss opportunities with staff
• Keep track of information sources
• Categorize information based on needs
• Contact agencies, organizations, funders
• Inform decision-makers on issues regularly

13
How Develop local support

• Encourage open dialogue
• Provide public education on issues
• Promote importance of addressing need
• Buy-in commitment from stakeholders
• Keep interested parties informed regularly
• Share information including success stories
• Always be responsive to questions/concerns

14
When Determine timeline

• Match needs with programs
• Consider funding timelines
• Work with stakeholders

15
Forming the Development Team

• Identify needs for services
• Identify available resources
• Architects, engineers, contractors
• Target appropriate services

16
A Guide to Selecting Consultants for Rural
Communities

• Six step process
• Focus on scope of work
• Request for Proposals (RFP)
• Exhibits with sample letters
• Agency and organizational resources
• Other publications

17
Six Steps

• Scope of Work
• Request for Proposals (RFP)
• Review Proposals
• Rate and Rank
• Negotiate
• Monitor

18
1. The Scope of Work

• Define the problem
• Describe the need
• Activities to be completed
• Specific work tasks
• Project timeline
• Other resources

19
2. Request for Proposals

• Based on scope of work
• Describes goals for the project
• Describes specific product(s)
• Describes schedule for activities
• Services, budget, and requirements
• Process for submitting proposals
• Open bid vs. competitive

20
3. Review proposals

• Review committee
• Follow process in RFP
• Contact references for background
• Document comments during review

21
4. Rate and rank

• Consistent objective criteria
• Evaluation form
• Process schedule
• Rate each proposal
• Conduct interviews (top two or three)
• Rank based on rating criteria and interview

22
5. Negotiate Services Agreement

• Top ranked firm (usually)
• Reference proposal submitted
• Include costs for specific activities
• Attach scope of work for the project
• Define roles and responsibilities of parties
• Establish timelines for completion of project

23
6. Monitor progress

• Contract management
• Grant administration
• Payment schedule
• Progress reports
• Inspections
• Retainage
• Final pay

24
Leverage Resources

• Public/private stakeholders
• Proposals for funding
• Marketing project
• Local leaders
• Volunteers
• Timeline
• Budgets

25
Utilize Partnerships

• Funding agencies and organizations
• Technical assistance providers
• Banks and foundations
• Service organizations
• Local governments
• Consultants
• Institutions

26
Educate others about your project
27
Congratulations on putting the pieces together!
28
As We go Full Circle Time for Another Project
29
THEEND
30
Accessing Resources for Rural Community
Development Projects

• Rural Community
• Assistance Corporation
• www.rcac.org