Inclusive Tech Strategies for Economic Growth

Key Takeaways from the Session

Technology works best when it quietly supports the work you are already doing —

freeing up time for the relationship-based work that robots can never replace.

Economic developers can begin implementing these strategies today to move from a "sack race" (where everyone is jumping but not moving forward) to a "relay race" (with clear handoffs and shared direction):

• Broaden Your Ecosystem Definition: Your ecosystem is larger than you think. Look beyond the "usual suspects" to engage civic organizations, banks, CDFIs, and tech innovators. Inclusive growth starts by lowering the barrier to entry for entrepreneurs who aren't currently connected to formal networks.
• Map Before You Automate: Before jumping into high-tech tools, perform a resource map of your community. Understand what exists, what is effective, and where the gaps are. Once the low-tech process is solid, look for ways to automate the most painful, manual tasks to build capacity.
• Build Trust Through Systems: Trust is "practical infrastructure." Use technology to create consistency and transparency. When processes are documented and centralized in a CRM or shared platform, institutional knowledge is preserved even when staff or leadership changes.
• Redefine Your Metrics: Move from purely activity-based reporting to outcome-based alignment. Instead of just counting jobs, track engagement over time, general sentiment scores (how entrepreneurs feel about their business health), and referral pathways between partners