Soul of the Community report provides sources for new style initiatives, where local and vocal replaces $$$

Sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and conducted by Gallup, this survey of 26 communities across the States, '.... probes the emotional factors that bind people to place.'

Press reaction has been very interesting, using the results and weighing them against the expected reaction to the recent recession.

A few press links are below

The New York Times blog

USA Today

Globe and Mail

A Google News search is here for continued overview of response to the findings.

Search the news for Soul of the Community

Soul of the Community

L + P = $

'Translated, it means that communities able to inspire loyalty and passion among residents are also likely to see a swell in their financial outlook.'

'.......researchers found perceptions of economic prosperity are not the leading drivers of attachment feelings among residents. Instead, most of the 14,000 respondents rated social offerings (such as entertainment and other venues that promote interconnectivity among residents), openness (acceptance of diversity) and community aesthetics as the top qualities that influenced decisions on where to anchor their lives and careers.'

(Globe and Mail)

Resource material (below) includes a summary PDF, a data file and one of the best PP shows I have seen for while - almost every slide a '....aha...so that means...'

Main page

http://www.soulofthecommunity.org/

Reports page with the resources that follow

http://www.soulofthecommunity.org/overall-findings/

While here are the links to a PDF, a data file and a Powerpoint

http://www.soulofthecommunity.org/files/2009/overall-2009.pdf

http://www.soulofthecommunity.org/download/2009/raw_data.zip

http://www.soulofthecommunity.org/files/2009/overall-2009.ppt