Building Upon Assets & Skills
Crane Associates believes that successful economic development results from building upon the assets and skills already present in a community. It requires empowering local leaders, connecting existing organizations, and capitalizing on a community’s physical, social, and natural assets. The most valuable resources of any community come from within, and these are the source of efficient and effective economic development solutions.
We work with communities of all sizes and lead them through community dialogue and problem solving methods. We solicit public input, generate collaboration, and build consensus in a wide range of ways. Our experience ranges from large cities and rural communities in America to post-conflict societies in Iraq to remote villages in developing countries. We focus on the community’s most unique assets, accentuate the positive, and open productive dialogue with residents to uncover locally appropriate solutions to improve communities.
Crane Associates helps find the most appropriate balance between economic development and maintaining the highest quality of life. We test their solutions with detailed feasibility analyses and identify and build upon a community’s uniqueness in order to enhance their competitive advantage. We help communities find the funding so they can move from plans to tangible improvements.
Michael’s work included the preparation of a Sustainable Economic Development Plan based on cluster analysis and detailed modelling of competitive advantages. The outcomes of Michael’s work were presented and well-received by our client, the Ruler of the Emirate, the Crown Prince and, specifically, the Chairman of Fujairah’s Department of Industry and Economy. I would strongly recommend Michael Crane to anyone seeking an expert in the fields of sustainable economic development, population, demographic and economic forecasting, or analysis of urban economics. His work was punctual, highly professional, and convincing. Michael was a pleasure to work with and we look forward to engaging his services again.
