Introduction
The Nevada Economic Assessment Project (NEAP) is a statewide Extension program aimed at providing a baseline repository of socio-economic data for each county in Nevada. One component of NEAP includes a community asset mapping workshop conducted with community leaders and residents. The asset mapping component includes a community workshop, followed by an online community asset survey. The online survey is an opportunity to provide broader community participation, beyond the workshop participants, to help identify community assets.
As part of the NEAP process, the community asset workshop for White Pine County was held virtually with county officials and interested community members on Dec. 11, 2020. The community asset mapping component of NEAP is a “snapshot of assets.” It is not a full inventory of every asset that exists or is desired in the county. A snapshot provides a broad overview of the key assets in the community, at this moment in time (hence a baseline). Asset mapping is a positive way to promote and think about one’s community and can typically serve as a starting point for further discussions of possible actions and initiatives.
Asset mapping is a process to create awareness of local resources. Its intended purpose is for community members to recognize what their community already has while noting desired additions to their community. Typically, when community members gather, people begin by listing all the problems or needs within the community. When members begin with identifying needs first, they see an endless list of problems. Funding often tends to go to outside service providers, and residents view themselves and their community as deficient. As a result, residents can feel as though they are victims who lack the capacity to make change happen within their own community (Kretzman and McKnight 1993).
However, if residents focus first on assets and strengths within the community, they are far more likely to be committed to investing in their communities and use existing strengths to address needs. Empirical evidence strongly suggests community economic development is more successful when people are willing to commit to investing in themselves and their resources (Burkett 2011; Underwood and Friesner 2017). Communities that focus on assets first are more able to effectively address needs by partnering with outside entities to leverage the resources and assets within the community (Kretzman and McKnight 1993; Pitzer and Streeter 2015).
Hence, successful community development must begin within the community itself. Results from the White Pine County Community Asset Survey are provided in this special publication to provide a snapshot of existing and desired assets as provided by White Pine County residents.
Survey Results
Following the virtual community asset mapping workshop on Dec. 11, 2020, an online community asset survey was open in Survey Monkey from Dec. 11, 2020, until Jan. 4, 2021. Links to the survey were made available on the NEAP website and the Pershing County Website.
A total of ten residents (n=10) completed the online community asset survey for White Pine County. A majority of survey respondents were women (90%) compared to men (10%). Ages of respondents included a cross-sampling of adults, with the highest responses, (30%) within two age categories 35-44 years and 65+ years. The online survey is not intended to be a complete inventory of all assets in White Pine County, but rather a snapshot of assets identified by residents at this point in time.
Respondents who provided input into the survey were from two of the seven zip codes in White Pine County (Table 1). All survey respondents (100%) were from White Pine County. Respondents were asked on the survey to share, “In one word, what is something you would like to brag about your community?” The following word cloud reflects respondents’ one word to brag about their community. The larger the word in the word cloud, the more often the word was used from residents on the survey. Therefore, the more frequently it was cited, the larger the word appears.
The process used to identify assets was grouped into six categories. These six categories were provided to residents during the community workshop and in the online survey as a framework to think about assets. The six asset categories are based on the seven community capitals (Flora and Flora 2013). The seven community capitals (i.e., built, natural, political, social, natural, human and cultural) are commonly identified as the ecosystem of a healthy community. The community capitals approach builds on the notion that all communities have assets. These assets may be inactive, or they may be invested to create more assets or leveraged to help fill gaps in the community. Respondents were asked to provide what assets exist currently and what assets they desire for each of the six categories. The six asset categories can be fluid, implying the categories themselves are not the focus, but rather it is the identification of the asset itself that is most important. For example, residents may identify a desired asset to have “reliable broadband.” This asset can be identified under the category of Play, Economic or Values. The six asset categories of assets are identified as follows.
1) Values
Values are an intangible asset of a community; however, shared values add to the quality of life in a community. Examples of values may include “safe community,” “a small-town feel” or “rural values.” Community values are important because values are the foundation of a community, and local decisions often reflect these core values. Table 2 outlines existing and desired assets of values as identified by residents of White Pine County.
To be respectful of participants who completed the online survey, all comments (verbatim) are included in Table 2 regarding values as assets.
2) People
Everyone in a community has some gift or talent he/she can contribute to help strengthen the community. The core of community rests with the capacity of its residents, the individual members of the community and how individuals can contribute. When people use their skills and talents in the community, they make the community stronger. Table 3 outlines existing and desired assets of people as identified by residents of White Pine County. To be respectful of participants who completed the online survey, all comments (verbatim) are included in Table 3 regarding people as assets.
3) Places
Every community has special places where people come together. Community is about coming together, and the places where people congregate are spaces for building community. These places may serve as a microcosm of community. Places can also add to a community’s identity through a historic building or traditional stories about the community. Table 4 outlines existing and desired assets of places as identified by residents of White Pine County. To be respectful of participants who completed the online survey, all comments (verbatim) are included in Table 4 regarding places as assets.
4) Play
Play is an important part of life for all of us, from children to adults. Play gives us the time and space to meet and socialize with others and improves our physical and mental health and our overall quality of life. The evidence outlining the benefits of play in the development of young children is overwhelming. Likewise, the value of play from children to adults offers wide benefits for a community. Locations for play are often seen as a focal point for communities. They offer opportunities for social interaction for the wider community, support the development of a greater sense of community spirit and promote social cohesion. Table 5 outlines existing and desired assets of play in White Pine County as identified by residents of White Pine County.. To be respectful of participants who completed the online survey, all comments (verbatim) are included in Table 5 regarding play as assets.
5) Economic
Communities have economic power in local businesses. This power includes who they hire, what they purchase, what skills they teach and what resources they offer. Revitalizing a community’s economic life is at the very center of local economic development. Communities have many steps to rebuilding the local economy, and it begins by recognizing the local institutions and organizations that exist. Table 6 outlines existing and desired economic assets as identified by residents of White Pine County. To be respectful of participants who completed the online survey, all comments (verbatim) are included in Table 6 regarding economic assets.
6) Groups
Groups and organizations are the foundation to a community’s social fabric. Linkages and networks among community groups create social capital. Community groups (whether formal or informal) can often serve as the avenue for creating social trust, build relationships, and connect networks among community members. Involvement in these groups builds individual skills and increases involvement in community associations. Those involved in these groups often help “fill the gaps” in a community and take on leadership roles. Table 7 outlines existing and desired assets of groups in White Pine County as identified by residents of White Pine County. To be respectful of participants who completed the online survey, all comments (verbatim) are included in Table 7 regarding groups as assets.
Limitations
A few significant limitations need to be noted in this report. First, a very small percentage of residents completed the online community asset survey (n=10) out of a county population of 9,182 (U.S. Census 2021). Additional limitations to the survey are a majority of those who did complete the survey were female (90%), and survey respondents represented only two of the seven registered zip codes in White Pine County. Given these limitations to the community asset survey, the results are a first step in identifying existing and desired assets within the community. However, the snapshot of assets identified in this report can be used as a starting point for discussion among a more diverse set of residents with local decision-makers, to explore how existing and desired assets can guide economic development decisions.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Asset mapping is an important tool to assist communities in identifying resources and strengths that currently exist, and it can help reveal desired assets that residents believe should be improved upon to help drive local change in their community. The information provided in this report reflects results from the White Pine County Community Asset Survey, in connection with the Nevada Economic Analysis Baseline Report. Both of these reports are tools that can be used to help inform and guide local decision-making for economic development and to understand what residents value and desire in the community.
