Ashland Works Update July 3, 2020 - Humane Leadership Institute

Ashland Works – Projects to support economic recovery in Ashland.

Ashland Works 501c3 formation to support local innovation, education, and job creation.
Incubator to develop and attract startups in software, green technology, and light manufacturing. Working with SOU, interns, and volunteers to develop this program.
Revisioning Ashland community conversations – hosted by the Ashland Food Coop and planning to expand to the greater community in the coming days.
Community Investment Fund – to allow local investors to support development of ideas and social/commercial enterprises to meet local needs and create good local jobs.
Mountain Bike Summit – to accelerate mountain biking as a form of recreation and economic development

We decided to take these actions after orienting ourselves in conversation with our community based on the observations below.

Economic disruption is likely to be long and damaging to Ashland’s current businesses. So, job creation will become vital for the health of our community.
Economic development should be focused on a shared vision for Ashland’s traditional qualities and possible futures.
State, county and city governments are unlikely to have the funds or bandwidth to create the solutions we need.
Return to prior economic levels is likely to take years according to government and private studies.

Public health locally is manageable, but Covid cases in Jackson County and across the state are accelerating.
Nationally, infection rates are accelerating and opening is being rolled back in many states.
Millions have returned to work nationally, but many more millions remain unemployed.
State, county and city government budget shortfalls are just becoming clear now.
While businesses are reopening, demand still seems too low to be sustainable.

Leading in a crisis post explores this methodology (OODA loops) in detail