Bucks for Communities?

With the recent successful passing of the "Bucks for Brains" legislation this year, some folks were wondering: What would a "bucks for communities" program look like, and what impact would it have?

It's hard to find anyone who doesn't agree that many of our communities, large and small, are suffering in terms of population loss, infrastructure and growth opportunities. If we do in fact attract the high-impact Ph.D.'s and entrepreneurs with our $50 million research investment, where will they live? Will they stick around and make West Virginia their home, infusing the much-needed talent? Will they only exist in Morgantown and Huntington, or can this model work in other WV communities?

We have certainly seen how "quality of place" vision and investments have transformed Lewisburg, Shepherdstown, Berkeley Springs and many other communities around the nation. The West Virginia Development Office provides small economic and community development grants to qualified counties each year, somewhere to the tune of $1.8 million. These are small grants designed to jump-start projects.

But what if? What if a "Bucks for Communities" program, funded at $50 million - matching the"Bucks for Brains" investment - could be launched with stringent, yet reasonable, criteria on how communities could invest the funds for game-changing infrastructure, economic, cultural and community redevelopment? Perhaps an element of the program could require matching funds for counties above a certain economic threshold, and a relaxed formula could be developed for communities with the most need?

What impact would this level of investment - combined with local public, federal and private investment - have on our communities? Would this turn into a political free-for-all, or could we develop such a program with the right oversight and innovative criteria to really spark the next round of nationally-recognized communities?

Comments

[Jim]

Great idea!

Our organization is very interested in exploring ideas for how communities can better support children and families and how a strong vibrant community helps prevents child abuse and neglect.