Cris Gastner - Community Economic Development Specialist, Big Water Consulting

Strategic PlanningTribal DataCommunity Facilities
Written By Kevin Klingbeil

Cris Gastner is the Community Economic Development Specialist for Big Water Consulting. His work will focus on the design and implementation of economic development projects, planning efforts and market/feasibility studies.

Prior to joining Big Water, Cris helped lead an economic development organization focused on assisting rural communities with meeting their community and economic development goals. He encourages small rural communities to take more proactive approaches to do BIG things in their small towns. In addition to his work with communities, he also worked directly with small businesses and entrepreneurs as a small business counselor and taught entrepreneurial education courses. Away from work, Cris is an amateur craft beer aficionado and giant Pittsburgh sports fan.

Featured Events:

Featured
Creating an Economic Development Plan and Embarking on Plan Implementation - Part 2 (Virtual Training)
Training/Workshop, November 2024
Funding, Strategic Planning, Core Components
Creating an Economic Development Plan and Embarking on Plan Implementation - Part 2 (Virtual Training)
Training/Workshop, November 2024
Funding, Strategic Planning, Core Components

This virtual training introduced participants who are entering or considering an economic development planning process to its core components. Participants learned about the key   internal and external actors, the process’s timeline and duration, the data required, and critical outcomes. 

Training/Workshop, November 2024
Funding, Strategic Planning, Core Components
Core Components of Economic Plan Implementation - Part 1 (Virtual Training)
October 2024, Training/Workshop
Funding, Community Facilities, Strategic Planning, Core Components
Core Components of Economic Plan Implementation - Part 1 (Virtual Training)
October 2024, Training/Workshop
Funding, Community Facilities, Strategic Planning, Core Components

This first section of the track underscores the foundational elements of economic development plan implementation, including a qualified workforce/labor pool, an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the primary infrastructure necessary to support economic activities. 

October 2024, Training/Workshop
Funding, Community Facilities, Strategic Planning, Core Components
Creating an Economic Development Plan and Embarking on Plan Implementation - Part 1 (Virtual Training)
September 2024, Training/Workshop
Community Facilities, Strategic Planning, Tribal Data
Creating an Economic Development Plan and Embarking on Plan Implementation - Part 1 (Virtual Training)
September 2024, Training/Workshop
Community Facilities, Strategic Planning, Tribal Data

The first training in the CoP’s 9-part series of a variety of topics across Indian Country. Cris Gastner and Kevin Klingbeil from Big Water Consulting led a discussion and exercises about the foundations and essential components of CED in Indian Country and an introduction to CED planning. 

September 2024, Training/Workshop
Community Facilities, Strategic Planning, Tribal Data
Linking Housing and Economic Development
June 2024, Training/Workshop
Strategic Planning, Housing, Energy & Broadband, Capital & Finance
Linking Housing and Economic Development
June 2024, Training/Workshop
Strategic Planning, Housing, Energy & Broadband, Capital & Finance

As tribes work on projects to grow and improve their communities, it is essential that all the various sectors of community economic development are involved in the conversation together through a holistic planning process.

June 2024, Training/Workshop
Strategic Planning, Housing, Energy & Broadband, Capital & Finance
 
Kevin Klingbeil
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