Beyond the Buzzword: What Engagement Means in Regional Development

The Purdue University Office of Engagement defines engagement as, “the collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities to share knowledge and resources.” But what does engagement mean through the lens of regional development? As part of our vision, the Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD) utilizes engagement with the goal of helping regions and communities seek prosperity and an enhanced quality of life.

For PCRD, engagement doesn’t stop at our vision. To more effectively understand how our team utilizes engagement, we reached out to our Engagement Team to hear how they define their work. These perspectives highlight distinct yet interconnected themes of engagement. These themes form a cohesive approach that generates meaningful impact to the regions, communities, and individuals we serve and interact with.

Hyewon’s spotlight on communication is no surprise as the communities we work with rely on our experience and data-driven resources. But while we deliver expertise, we also rely on the feedback generated by the communities and stakeholders who need our help. The Northwestern Indiana Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) that we helped develop with the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) is a great example of this two-way communication. Our team provided regional data and insights to help drive their CEDS and NIRPC provided regional nuances and local comments to add necessary context to the plan. Combined, the final CEDS has set Lake, Porter, and La Porte counties on a path towards enhanced regional prosperity and community quality of life.

Like two-way communication, participation also adds a layer of responsibility to both PCRD and the local voices we interact with. For example, during the recent development of a CEDS plan for the East Central Indiana Regional Planning District, Inc., we used public comments and surveys to shape the direction of the CEDS, while addressing any public concerns. By incorporating public comments, the CEDS plan more accurately reflects the needs of that region while transforming the plan into a collaborative effort that reflects the passion and priorities of local residents.

While Annie’s highlight of participation encourages all stakeholders to get involved, Melinda’s theme of empowerment gives them the initiative and resources to add value. The College and Community Collaboration (CCC) Initiative does just that: targeting needs in childcare and transportation for the Wabash Heartland Region to thrive in a supportive environment. Since the start of the initiative, each county in the region now has operational agreements with CityBus van pools to meet transportation needs for workers, alongside the construction and opening of two new childcare centers to support families. With greater access to these resources, the community can shift its focus to solving other challenges.

Communication, participation, and empowerment serve as distinct, yet interconnected themes of engagement. While these themes don’t capture every facet of engagement, they serve PCRD’s vision and help demystify engagement at the level of regional development. From strategic plans like the aforementioned CEDS to economic and business development strategies, many of our services utilize these themes of engagement as well. To learn more or work with us, contact PCRD today!