Development Model
The Development Model the Institute adheres to consists of three elements: Identifying the potential, Analyzing the situation, and Developing sustainable solutions.

• Identify: At the Institute, we seek to identify economic and industrial needs within communities. In this process, we examine the local industries and the economic factors facing each community. Every community is unique and so are the opportunities for sustainable economic development. We intend to develop the unique opportunities into solutions that assist the needs of the local economy, provide new opportunities, and bestow a sustainable future.
• Analyze: Once the needs and opportunities are discovered, the Institute continues to provide the consulting assistance through resource assessments, technological evaluation, comprehensive feasibility studies, and project pre-development.
• Develop: Jumping off from a feasibility study requires methodical involvement with the community. We create partnerships and coalitions within the community and assist in the development of local organizations. We promote and establish new local markets for value-added products and provide unique financing options.

Community Development

The Institute works with communities across the state to promote rural partnerships and increase the capacity of rural entrepreneurs. It is involved in several projects to help communities organize themselves to form development partnerships that will create lasting jobs in depressed regions of the Northwest. The Institute's goal is to see communities by creating partnerships rooted in the community and values which:

• Best use the resources available to the community by promoting strategies such as value-added production;
• Generate cooperation among local enterprises by creating "value links": long-term, mutually beneficial relationships among independent businesses involved in moving a product from concept to market;
• Effectively capturing public and private resources available to the community to achieve its development goals.

Alternative Energy

Washington State has immense resources for alternative energy. These resources can be realized to lower the United State's dependence on outside, non-renewable energy sources. The alternative energy resources in Washington could be a fountainhead of new industries and economic development statewide. Whether it is wind power, biomass, or general conservation, the importance of utilizing these sources requires organizations to step up and help develop the infrastructure needed.

Alternative energy systems lend themselves to small networks and community-based development because the technologies themselves are designed for small networks. A decentralized energy system creates jobs, promotes development of rural communities, and provides a clean, reliable and important source for the region’s energy needs. The Institute's role is to support communities and enterprises in planning and funding the development of alternative energy.