Furthermore, re-presentations made by 8 RED Tour members have informed a wider audience of 300 residents in county development stakeholder groups about elements of effective rural economic development strategy. The leadership asserted by RED tour participants has also influenced county development strategy. As a result of this, the county economic development council is re-focusing its' development strategies on cultural heriatge, cottage crafts, and natural resource based enterprise possibilites. RED Tour members are participating in leadership roles in this work, and are recruiting an expanding cadre of grass roots participants into the ongoing county economic development work. Our shared aspiration for strengthening the human, organizational, and communty capacity engaged in rural economic development work has been met, and continues.
Community leadership is a shared responsibility.
The focus is community action rather than individual development, although the latter inevitably occurs as well. A local United Way raises three times as many funds due to program graduates who serve as board members. Graduates help set a positive tone for the city. The program allows people to cross lines of interest and work together. A county fair was reborn with the help of program graduates who serve as board members.