Economic development organizations are increasingly committed to weaving equity and inclusion into the strategic planning process. But what happens when it’s time for implementation? How can organizations and governments continue to incorporate inclusive principles throughout the implementation phase? Successfully embedding equity and inclusion into the implementation of a strategic plan should mirror and reinforce the practices used throughout the planning process.
Being inclusive from the earliest planning stages throughout implementation requires intention, thoughtfulness, and commitment. This approach leads to a better plan, smoother implementation, and more equitable community benefits. TIP has helped clients across the US navigate this transition to implementation, including the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC). In the creation of All in 2035: A Ten-Year Economic Opportunity Plan for the Baltimore Region, GBC provides an example of setting the organization up to effectively incorporate inclusion into the implementation process by keeping equity top of mind throughout strategic planning.
All In 2035: Embedding Equity and Inclusion in the Planning Process
GBC adopted a series of intentional practices that made equity and inclusion cornerstones of the strategic planning process—ensuring these principles influence every stage of a plan’s lifecycle.
Engaging Diverse Partners from the Outset
A legacy of racial segregation, disinvestment, and systemic inequality in the Baltimore region has created persistent disparities in housing, education, and employment. By prioritizing these challenges and championing shared economic growth, GBC has assumed an important role in addressing disparity. The organization’s successful integration of equity and inclusion into implementation stemmed from its stakeholder engagement approach. GBC’s staff convened a diverse project steering committee consisting of 34 members that represented special groups and jurisdictions across the seven-county region.
While the primary purpose of the committee was to guide and oversee the planning process, each member was invited to be a partner in the plan’s implementation. This early inclusion set the stage for continued collaboration with diverse voices, making certain equity would not only shape the plan’s vision but also its execution.
Formalizing Equity within the Strategic Framework
To embed equity into implementation, GBC’s strategic plan included a vision statement to “become a global center of innovation, creativity, and inclusive economic opportunity.” This vision was supported by the guiding principle of equitable growth, which became one of five core pillars driving the plan.
Equitable Growth: Prioritize development approaches that empower residents and create economic opportunity for all.
— Guiding principle for the All In 2035 plan
The plan’s strategic framework helped define and prioritize indicators of success tied to broader economic mobility and equitable growth, such as higher wages, wealth generation, and increased labor force participation rates across various demographic groups. By incorporating measurable outcomes linked to equity, GBC established clear expectations for inclusive progress resulting from the plan’s implementation.
Lessons from GBC: Ensuring Inclusive Implementation
With the launch of the plan, GBC has taken several steps to keep equity and inclusion at the center of the implementation process.
Socializing the Plan with Inclusivity in Mind
After launching All in 2035, GBC staff prioritized sustaining momentum and stakeholder engagement beyond the plan rollout. Their approach to achieving this objective involved a regionwide “roadshow” to present the strategy to diverse audiences and secure champions for implementation.
This deliberate effort to socialize All in 2035 guaranteed that stakeholders across sectors and communities had opportunities to engage with the vision and help contribute to its execution. By fostering buy-in from a wide array of voices, GBC created a solid base of support for inclusive implementation.
Monitoring Outcomes to Promote Equity
GBC’s plan included a robust framework for monitoring and evaluating strategies as well as their related outcomes. Regular data collection and analysis help track not only overall economic growth but also its distribution across demographic groups. This segmented approach allows GBC and its partner organizations to identify gaps or unintended consequences, enabling timely course corrections to promote equity.
In addition to tracking outcomes by group, inclusive implementation involves continuous and open communication with stakeholders. Regular feedback loops, either through community meetings, surveys, and focus/working groups can also help to make certain that the voices of those directly impacted by the plan’s execution are consistently heard and considered. This feedback can then inform adjustments to strategies, programs, or resource allocation, making the implementation process flexible enough to address emerging challenges or evolving needs of specific groups.
Maintaining Accountability Through Transparency
Finally, it is equally important to ensure that leadership remains accountable to the community through transparent reporting and incorporating lessons learned throughout the process. Frank and honest reporting and an openness to change are fundamental to trust and relationship-building with supporters, which will be needed if long-term implementation is to be successful. For GBC, in particular, this approach differed from prior initiatives and established a new baseline for trust and collaboration among previously excluded groups.
GBC also crafted an intentional media strategy to inform the region of its efforts and progress. The organization’s outreach strategy reflected their understanding that a long-term, tailored communication effort would be required to connect with a more inclusive audience. By building this level of accountability, inclusivity, and responsiveness into the implementation, the strategic plan becomes a living, evolving framework that not only meets immediate goals but also fosters long-term social and economic equity, providing sustained opportunities for all.
GBC’s robust efforts illustrate how to center equity and inclusion during strategic planning and implementation, providing lessons for other organizations. By engaging diverse partners, formalizing equity within the framework, and prioritizing transparency and responsiveness, economic developers can leverage the strategic planning and implementation processes to help drive sustained economic and social inclusion. Embedding inclusion into implementation is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment—one that has the potential to reshape regions and create opportunities for all.
