The complexities of 21^st century economies require that the community development field works differently. Given the interconnectedness of economic and social forces in metropolitan regions, and the desire for high-impact solutions, the field increasingly recognizes the need to work within a systems-change framework. Such an approach requires partnerships across the public and private sectors, and across urban, suburban, and rural communities. Regional strategies must leverage local, federal, and often global dollars, improve the coordination of programs across community boundaries, and change public and institutional policies to expand the opportunities and resource base for low- and moderate-income communities.

OMG has deep experience in the promising new metropolitan strategies that treat cities and suburbs as parts of a single economic system. Specifically, we have experience with growing smaller, but smarter approaches to rethinking land use for cities experiencing population loss; “people-in-place” strategies that help urban residents improve their circumstances through jobs, workforce development, and educational improvements; and green job and sustainable development strategies that redirect economic activity in ways that improve both the environment and the economy.