Workbooks and Publications to Assist Communities Strengthen their Local Economies

Competing with the National Discounter by Barbara Cole and Meredith Miller This workbook was originally developed for the State of Colorado to help small communities deal with Wal-Mart stores and other discount outlets that potentially hurt small downtown businesses.  As a result of this workbook, Barbara Cole has become a  nationally recognized speaker on this subject.  Clients include: the US Navy and the communities of Bismarck, North, Dakota, Hyannis, Massachusetts, and Ridgecrest, California.  She has been feature on the cover of USA Today, as well as Independent Business, America's Small Business magazine.

Financing Economic Renewal, by Barbara Cole and Meredith Miller Business Opportunities Casebook, by Barbara Cole Business Opportunities Workbook, by Barbara Cole A series of self-help books for small businesses and community leaders developed for the Small Business Administration through the Rocky Mountain Institute.

High Stakes Decision Making, by Barbara Cole and Phil Herr Managing Change, by Barbara Cole and Phil Herr Two companion workbooks developed for the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help communities deal with new land use activities that dramatically change their community from what it is today to something very different.  The first workbook outlines a collective vision process for small communities.  The second workbook helps communities predict and quantify the degree of change and affect on the municipalities ability to provide and fund public services and facilities.

The Building Better Communities National Pilot Program.  Barbara Cole worked as a project manager for the National Civic League to design a process that will allow government, business, non-profit, and educational interests to work together to collectively address pressing region-wide development issues.  The pilot program was run in both Morgan County, and Prowers and Baca Counties in Southeastern Colorado as a regional model.  Documented successes include a number of different economic development initiatives centered around developing community pride and a sense of place, and a new leadership skills program offered through the local community college in Lamar, Colorado.  The program received a national award from the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges for developing a process for innovative community problem solving and the institution a better, more collaborative decision-making process.