Collective Impact is working with faculty members of the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Center for Sustainable Business and Development, Department of Political Science, and Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management to conduct a research project to better understand Appalachian tourism and identify opportunities to grow tourism activities and encourage business development throughout the region. The project is funded through a competitive grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) - a federal economic development agency. The project is the largest and most comprehensive study of tourism ever conducted by the commission, which covers 205,000 square miles across 420 counties in 13 states. Results of the study will help us better understand the state of tourism of the region, new growth areas for tourism in Appalachian communities, and best practices and successful strategies to help the communities succeed. The project will use research, surveys, site visits, and focus groups as part of the research method. The project also will identify communities to use as case studies to illustrate local tourism success stories and best practices for tourism business development.
For over a 16 month period, Collective Impact provided an array of planning, coordination, facilitation, stakeholder engagement and input, and research services to assist Ridgeline and the West Virginia Governor’s Early Childhood Planning Task Force in the creation of the 10-year comprehensive Development Plan for Early Childhood in West Virginia. Recognizing the importance of the earliest years of life, Governor Earl Ray Tomblin created the Early Childhood Planning Task Force in May 2013. The Task Force was charged with creating a development plan for West Virginia’s early childhood system. A 10-year plan for improving early childhood programs, financing and governance was completed in September 2014. The Task Force partnered with the state’s Early Childhood Advisory Council on the creation of the plan. More than 1,200 West Virginians provided input through community forums, stakeholder discussions, study groups, an online survey, and key informant interviews.
"Collective Impact facilitated a great strategic planning process for our agency. Activities and interactive discussions kept staff engaged and focused on the process resulting in a comprehensive three year plan. For fun yet productive strategic planning sessions, I would definitely recommend Bruce Decker and Collective Impact." ~ Robin Kees, West Virginia State Director, Telamon Corporation, Martinsburg, WV
Visioning is the first step in a goal-setting or planning process. While mission statements guide an organization or community in its day-to-day operations, visions provide a sense of direction for the long term - the means to the future. Learn More!
