How Embeddedness in the Community Can Facilitate Equitable Economic Growth (Parts 1 & 2)

By Abbey Chambers

This two-part series published in the International Economic Development Council’s ED|NOW blog describes how intensive, authentic enagement in communities that have been systemically left behind by economic development policies as they have evolved over the past several decades can help lead to equitable economic growth. Part 1 describes my own process of becoming embedded in a community and why it is the most authentic way to gather insights that can help decision makers and policy leaders facilitate sound solutions to persistent socioeconomic challenges. Part 2 describes how one company successfully models embeddedness and how other organizations can similarly embed themselves in communities in order to catalyze growth on community members’ terms.