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The Value of Local Production in Revitalizing Communities
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| Presenter(s):
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| Ron Visscher, Western Michigan University, ron.visscher@aquinas.edu
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| Abstract:
This economic evaluation of the production and consumption activity of every US county and city over a five year period provides evidence suggesting the significance of local production activities in contributing to local economic vitality, even in increasingly service oriented economies. There is a need for more evidence to support and guide public policy designed to stimulate the business and economic base of local economies. By providing evidence suggesting the extent to which people live and consume in geographic locations where they can be productive, the study provides evidence of the value of local production and helpful guidance for effective public policy-making for community revitalization.
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The Importance of Values and Valuing in Project Financing and Project Costing
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| Presenter(s):
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| Nadini Persaud, University of the West Indies, npersaud07@yahoo.com
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| Paul Morgan, Caribbean Development Bank, morganp@caribank.org
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| Abstract:
The design and implementation of programs in developing countries require, inter alia, a clear understanding of the special needs and cultural values of the targeted beneficiaries, and of local laws and lending policies of local financial institutions for the programs to be successful. The paper will discuss a number of issues relevant to values and valuing in project financing and project costing and will share the lessons of experience learnt from a rural development project implemented in a developing country—Belize—which was co-financed by the Caribbean Development Bank. At the conclusion of the presentation, an interactive discussion will take place so that the group can share with each other personal experiences with development projects. This presentation is important to the evaluation profession because the identification of relevant values is central to project success and ultimately to the ex-post evaluation which will determine merit, worth, or significance of the project.
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Development of Logic Models as a Precursor to Conducting a Cost-Benefit Analysis: Successes and Lessons Learned
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| Presenter(s):
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| Melissa Chapman Haynes, Professional Data Analysts Inc, melissa.chapman.haynes@gmail.com
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| Lija Greenseid, Professional Data Analysts Inc, lija@pdastats.com
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| Julie Rainey, Professional Data Analysts Inc, julie@pdastats.com
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| Abstract:
Logic models are one key tool evaluators have to engage stakeholders and project leaders in determining values, and how those values relate to project activities and intended results. We implemented a logic model process in collaboration with project leaders to identify key processes and results of a community-based health organization, with a specific focus on tobacco cessation-related activities. The purpose of this logic modeling process was two-fold. First, it helped the project leaders to communicate their work via a visual display. Second, it allowed our evaluation to understand the broader context and scope of the project's tobacco-cessation work, including in-person cessation classes, referrals to the tobacco Quitline, community partnerships, and training of health professionals related to tobacco cessation. Key factors identified during the logic model process were incorporated into a cost benefit analysis. We will discuss how logic models were used as one factor in designing a cost benefit analysis.
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