The most fundamental and practical community economic development strategy is arguably Business Retention and Expansion (BRE). That is, paying attention and responding to the businesses already existing in the community.

For example, research through the decades has shown that most new jobs come from businesses already located in the community. The University of Minnesota Extension Department of Community Development and previously UMN’s Department of Applied Economics have promulgated BRE programming across Minnesota since 1989. The Extension program is now known as the Connecting Businesses and Community (CBC) program. This collection of BRE and CBC material includes: CBC Handbook (2025), applied research summary reports of community BRE plans, case studies, sample interview guides (aka surveys), vintage BRE manuals, and more (1990 through the present). The founder of the program, George Morse (emeritus), and Michael Darger, program director since 1999 (darger@umn.edu) have contributed many materials along with many reports/materials from Monica Haynes and Gina Grensing (UMD), Brigid Tuck, Patricia Love, Scott Loveridge, John Bennett, Dan Erkkila, Theresa Heiland, Eric King, et al.

Extension's research is informed by the programs and partnerships we have with communities across the state. Learn more at extension.umn.edu. Updated December, 2025.