LEAP applied by the Middle Georgia Regional Development Center, 2005

The Middle Georgia Regional Development Center (MGRDC) conducted an in-depth evaluation of the regions economic development opportunities and constraints as part of a larger effort to develop a regional economic diversification strategy plan. The plan's aim is to grow jobs and income in the area, while also lessening the area's economic dependency on military expenditures. The Middle Georgia Region is comprised of Bibb, Houston, Peach and Pulaski Counties in Georgia.

As noted in the study report, "The project staff started by conducting research focused on finding a suitable economic assessment model that would provide for a critical evaluation of the Study Area's past and current economic performance and aid in the development of targeted strategies for stimulating further economic growth and diversification in the region. Several models were rigorously examined and considered. Upon final evaluation, team members selected the economic modeling program entitled the Local Economic Assessment Package (LEAP) as the most appropriate instrument for the project. The advantages of the LEAP model relate to the fact that this tool simultaneously provides the means to effectively assess current conditions, diagnoses target-specific industries for possible diversification, and analyzes the potential effect of proposed policy changes to the overall market."

The staff of MGRDC used the LEAP system, along with community stakeholder input and the results of related studies, to develop a series of industry-specific economic diversification activities. These activities made up the "Economic Diversification Action Plan." The action plan targeted those industries that provided the greatest opportunity for economic growth and diversification in the Study Area. Each industry-specific economic activity contained recommended implementation actions, responsible agencies, coordinating agencies, potential sources for funding assistance, and a timeline with measurable milestones and targets.

Read the Report