The thinking

Economic Positioning

WHERE’S YOUR PLACE IN THE NEXT ECONOMY? Vandewalle & Associates, Inc. takes the lead in helping communities restore and build new, sustainable economies for a new economic era. We call it “place-based economic development”: a strategic process that allows regional centers and small urban and rural areas to position for new economic opportunities.

SECURE A STRONG POSITION. Our work in the Midwest has led us to develop several areas of keen specialization. These include: Bioscience (BioAg, BioMedical, and BioEnergy), Agriculture and Food Systems, Natural/Land Resources, and Ecotourism.

FIND THE GAPS AND FILL THEM. The work we do is more than trend analysis; it’s being the catalyst. We find the gaps in the economy, then devise ways to fill them. We create economic relationships—connecting the right business sectors, companies, people, and places. We identify projects that will have the greatest catalytic impact, then build them.

MAKE IT SUSTAINABLE. This approach works to not only develop new businesses and add jobs, but to emerge new economic clusters that are vibrant and sustainable.

Regional Opportunities

WORKING ACROSS BOUNDARIES. What happens when a transportation project, or an economic development need, affects more than one community?

Our team is multi-disciplinary, with the advantage of working from the bigger picture. We have extensive experience in developing processes, forging partnerships, and securing funds in large-scale multi-municipality projects throughout the Midwest. We map, track and strategize from the global scale on down.

ADVOCATES OF THE “FRESH COAST.” As advocates of the Great Lakes Region’s unique “Fresh Coast” assets, we’re in position to realize opportunities from economic development to transportation
that can promote a healthy, sustainable region.

Shaping places,
                  shaping change