2023 AARP Livable Communities Economic Development Workshop

Indya Kincannon has served as the mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee, since 2019. Her administration is working to provide equitable access to services, economic development projects, affordable housing and high-speed internet in rural areas.

• Watch the Local Leaders Conversation Video

 

Day 2: Thursday, September 28

Welcome Remarks 

Featuring Mike Watson, director of AARP Livable Communities, and Carly Roszkowski, vice president, AARP Financial Resilience. 

• Watch the Day 2 Welcome Remarks video

 

Keynote Address by Ilana Preuss

Ilana Preuss is the founder and CEO of Recast City. She works with local officials, real estate developers and civic leaders to integrate spaces for small-scale producers into redevelopment projects and place-based economic development that build economic opportunity for more people.

• Watch Ilana Preuss' Keynote Video

 

Conversation — AARP Community Challenge Grantee Interview  

This conversation highlighted a 2021 AARP Community Challenge grantee’s economic development initiative (called “Launch Pod”) and the ways the project has encouraged local entrepreneurship and activated public spaces.

MODERATOR: Mike Watson is the director of AARP Livable Communities. 

Lloyd Purdy is the economic development manager for the City of Tigard, Oregon. 

• Watch the Grantee Interview Video

 

Plenary Panel — Work and Jobs

The panel discussed how workforce upskilling and support for small businesses can help revitalize communities. 

MODERATOR: Denise Bottcher is the director of AARP Louisiana.

Cherie LaCour-Duckworth is the vice president of the Urban League of Louisiana's office of workforce development. 

Mauricio Garcia is the senior vice president for programs at UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization. 

• Watch the Work and Jobs Panel Video

 

Plenary Panel — Local Economies

The panel discussed how livability efforts enable residents to support the economy through paid and unpaid contributions, such as volunteerism, caregiving and charitable donations.

MODERATOR: Tricia Sandiego is a senior advisor for AARP Caregiving and Health.

Lily Hoffman is the associate director of programs for Habitat for Humanity International's housing and community strategy. She works to support the Habitat network in implementing strategies that improve racial, health and housing equity.

Heather Black is the vice president of United Way Worldwide's 211 system strategy. She previously served as a vice president for United Way of North Carolina. 

• Watch the Local Economies Panel Video

 

Discussion Groups

As the final workshop activity each day, AARP hosted small-group conversations between workshop participants about critical economic development-related topics. (These sessions were not recorded.)

• It’s Not Economic Development If It’s Not Sustainable 
  Is it possible to have thriving and resilient communities that align with sustainability goals? Workshop attendees spoke with experts about how economic development doesn’t require leaders to compromise on their values.
  
  
• Housing to Support Economic Development 
  Middle income and age-friendly housing is workforce housing. Workshop attendees spoke with experts about how workforce retention and housing stability create a strong economy and livable communities for all. 
  
  
• Rural and Urban Digital Access for a Thriving Older Adult Population
  In today’s world, digital access is a must-have for maintaining a robust, quality workforce. Workshop attendees spoke with experts about the different digital needs of different communities. 
  
  
• Tapping Into Older Workers and Volunteers to Lift the Local Economy
  Older adults can be assets to local economies as both workers and volunteers.  Workshop attendees spoke with experts about strategies that help communities to see the value of older workers. 
  
  
• Living Near Transit: What Does It Mean for Workers?
  Transportation is a lot more than just getting people from Point A to Point B. Workshop attendees spoke with experts about the ways affordable, convenient transit options are critical to a thriving economy and a robust workforce.
  
  
• Rural Challenges in Economic Development
  Workshop attendees spoke with some of the Innovation Showcase presenters about economic opportunities in small, less densely-populated places.

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