Turn Community Opposition Into Essential Support

Your community should be your greatest economic development asset - not your biggest obstacle.

You know the potential of the projects you're working on.

• New jobs.
• New investment.
• A stronger tax base.
• A more vibrant local economy.

But if residents don't understand why those projects matter, even good economic development initiatives can face opposition and make it harder for you to do your job.

The problem isn't always the project. Sometimes it's the lack of understanding surrounding it.

A 2026 Golden Shovel Agency survey found that 81.3% of economic development professionals believe residents lack awareness of the work they do. At the same time, 53.1% say increased community support is one of their organization's most needed resources.

That gap between the work you're doing and the community's understanding of it can create barriers that can stall or even cancel important projects.

Build understanding before you need support.

Community support doesn't happen because an EDO sends out more press releases or posts more often on social media. It happens when residents understand the thinking that went into your work and how a project benefits them.

Golden Shovel Agency works with economic development organizations to turn complex economic development strategies and projects into stories and communications that residents can understand and support. Through strategy, storytelling, websites, and targeted communications, we can help you:

• Build awareness: Make your organization's role and impact easier for residents to understand.
• Strengthen trust: Communicate consistently and transparently before controversial issues arise.
• Create buy-in: Give residents a clearer connection between economic development and the community they want to see in the future.

Build support and develop the community relationships you need to move important projects forward.

Don't wait until opposition arises to start building support.
Let's talk about how your EDO can build stronger community understanding—and turn that understanding into support.

Schedule Your Call!