2023 aarp livable communities workshop — economic development: connecting to opportunity

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.   DAY 2: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 WELCOME REMARKS _ _ Featuring MIKE WATSON, director of AARP Livable Communities, and CARLY ROSZKOWSKI, vice

president, AARP Financial Resilience.    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.   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.    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.    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.    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. OTHER WORKSHOP VIDEOS  Videos about several

economic development-related projects were aired during the workshop. Click on the titles below to learn more and see what was shown. PAST CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS * Find materials and

videos from AARP Livable Communities events about a range of livability topics. Learn more _Page updated October 2023_