Place-based Economies are Essential to Weather Crisis
The Uplands Community Collective believes that place-based economies - hyper-local systems on a neighborhood level - are more resilient in times of crisis. Place-based economies meet the needs of their community far more effectively than relying on government or other outside solutions. In times of crisis, community-based organizations that have strong ties to the neighborhood are best suited to identify specific needs, understand which households need help, and how to navigate and connect resources.
A new report by The Kresge Foundation reinforces this belief. According to Kresge:
“While the federal government has fallen short, neighborhood cultural institutions have been cornerstones of the pandemic response. The report finds that groups working at the intersection of food, art, and culture have the local connections, cultural context and resources to best meet community needs in moments of crisis.”
The report also shows that groups working at the intersection of food, art, and culture have the local connections, cultural context and resources to best meet community needs. This aligns with the vision and values of the Uplands Community Collective, and while the report focuses on philanthropic investment, we believe other forms of investment can be driven to build place-based economies when done correctly. That’s why the Uplands Community Collective was formed to help ensure that the $1B+ in direct community investment from the Uplands Colorado development will catalyze and incubate place-based economic development in Historic Westminster and the surrounding communities of Shaw Heights and Federal Heights.
The Uplands Community Collective is working to build a resilient, sustainable place-based economy with food, culture, and people at its core. We’re preparing to grow food for our community on a substantial scale, to strengthen our existing small businesses while incubating and catalyzing new economic opportunities, and perhaps most importantly, to create the community relationships and connections where people know they can turn to their neighbors, not only in time of need, but on a daily basis.
The COVID-19 pandemic makes it clear this work is needed now more than ever. People all over are awakening to the failings of our previous systems, and how we have become disconnected from our neighbors and from community economic life.
Click here to download the full report, Hyper-Local Investment Essential for Community Survival Through Crisis.