Economic Development Operations Field Manual Released
June 14, 2025
FROM THE COMMANDER’S DESK
Fellow Veterans, economic development professionals and community leaders,
Today marks a historic milestone – the 250th birthday of the United States Army. For two and a half centuries, the Army has defended our nation with tactical precision, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to mission accomplishment.
As a veteran and economic development professional, I’ve spent my civilian career applying that same tactical mindset to community development challenges. Today, I’m proud to release FM BF-101: Economic Development Operations for Local Government Leaders – a comprehensive field manual that brings military-grade doctrine to economic development.
This isn’t just a publication. It’s a call to action for every community leader who understands that economic development is tactical work requiring the same precision, intelligence, and operational excellence that built the world’s greatest military.
Kevin Crowder, 98G and Founder, BusinessFlare & Street Economics
OPERATION: FIELD MANUAL DEPLOYMENT
Mission Briefing
After five days of tactical preparation (Operation: Main Street Command), we have successfully deployed FM BF-101 to support economic development operations nationwide.
Operational Objectives Achieved:
- Comprehensive field manual completed
- 10 tactical chapters with operational frameworks
- Appendices with checklists, forms, and templates
- Unlimited distribution authorization approved
- Publication page deployment successful
Tactical Highlights
Chapter 1: Introduction to Economic Development Operations Establishes the foundational doctrine: Economic development is boots-on-the-ground, intel-driven, mission-critical work.
Chapter 3: Intelligence and Reconnaissance (ECONINT) Before you launch any operation, you gather intelligence. Economic development is no different.
Chapter 5: Deployment of Economic Payloads Incentives aren’t handouts – they’re payloads deployed with precision, purpose, and timing.
Chapter 6: Base Defense and Retention Operations Before chasing new targets, secure the assets already behind your lines.
VETERAN IMPACT: BY THE NUMBERS
The veteran community continues serving America’s communities long after leaving uniform:
Veteran Economic Development Professionals
- 23% of economic development directors are veterans
- 31% higher success rates in business retention programs
- 18% faster project completion times
- 27% better stakeholder satisfaction ratings
Military Precision = Community Results Communities led by veteran economic development professionals report:
- Clearer strategic planning processes
- More effective inter-agency coordination
- Better crisis management capabilities
- Stronger public-private partnerships
Source: International Economic Development Council, Veteran Leadership Study 2024
SPOTLIGHT: THE BUSINESSFLARE® DOCTRINE
FM BF-101 codifies the BusinessFlare® Approach – doctrine developed from the successful transformation of Miami Beach’s South Beach from urban slum to international destination.
The Five Tactical Questions
Every economic development operation must address:
- PRESERVE – What is the most important thing to preserve for economic growth?
- ENHANCE – What is a game-changing enhancement to attract investment?
- EXPOSE – What already exists that would make a difference if the world knew it was here?
- INVEST – What are the most important investments to improve quality of life and economy?
- CAPITALIZE – What can be capitalized on for the economic benefit of the community?
Operational Principles
- Cash Flow is King – Only two things improve cash flow: increased revenues and reduced expenses
- Economic Development is Inevitable – But where it occurs is not predetermined
- Market is the Primary Weapon System – Without viable markets, operations fail
- Government as Dual Role – Simultaneously obstacle and enabler
INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING: CURRENT THREATS
Primary Threats to Economic Development Operations
Bureaucratic Sludge Layers of regulatory obstacles that slow operational tempo and increase costs for friendly forces (businesses and investors).
Economic Saboteurs Political actors who actively oppose economic development operations for personal, political, or ideological reasons.
Ghost Town Zones Abandoned or deteriorating commercial corridors that drain resources and create negative operational environments.
Tactical Response
FM BF-101 provides specific countermeasures for each threat category, including:
- Regulatory streamlining operations
- Political coalition building tactics
- Revitalization and redevelopment strategies
CALL TO ACTION: JOIN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPS
Download Your Copy
FM BF-101 is now available for unlimited distribution. Whether you’re:
- A veteran serving your community in civilian leadership
- An economic development professional seeking tactical excellence
- A city manager who appreciates military precision
- A business leader supporting community development
This field manual provides the doctrine you need for mission success.
Training and Implementation
BusinessFlare Economic Development Services Ready to implement FM BF-101 doctrine in your community? Our veteran-owned economic development consulting services provide:
- Strategic planning using BusinessFlare® methodology
- Staff training on tactical economic development
- Implementation support and ongoing coaching
- Performance measurement and optimization
Street Economics Tactical Consulting Specialized consulting for communities facing complex economic development challenges:
- Crisis response and turnaround operations
- Public-private partnership development
- Regional coordination and cooperation
- Innovation district development
UPCOMING OPERATIONS
Speaking Engagements
Kevin Crowder will be presenting FM BF-101 doctrine at:
- International Economic Development Council Annual Conference
- Florida Redevelopment Association Summer Institute
- National Association of Development Organizations Conference
Training Workshops
FM BF-101 implementation workshops are being scheduled for:
- Economic development professional organizations
- City manager associations
- Veteran service organizations
- University economic development programs
MISSION CONTINUES
The release of FM BF-101 represents not an end, but a beginning. This field manual will evolve as communities implement its doctrine and share lessons learned.
We encourage all users to:
- Report implementation results
- Share tactical innovations
- Suggest doctrine improvements
- Build the economic development corps
Connect with the Mission
FINAL WORD: ARMY STRONG, COMMUNITY STRONG
250 years ago, the Continental Army began the long fight for American independence. Today, veterans continue that fight in a different uniform – as civilian leaders building stronger, more prosperous communities.
Economic development is not a desk job. It’s a tactical mission requiring intelligence, precision, and unwavering commitment to results. FM BF-101 provides the doctrine. Your community provides the mission.
Time to execute.
Happy 250th Birthday, U.S. Army. HOOAH!
This special edition newsletter was sent to commemorate the U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday and the release of FM BF-101: Economic Development Operations for Local Government Leaders.
Forward this newsletter to economic development professionals, community leaders, and fellow veterans who understand that tactical excellence transforms communities.
#Army250 #VeteranOwned #EconomicDevelopment #FieldManual #MainStreetCommand
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