Where?

What does “local” mean to your institution?

Factors to consider:

• Where does your patient population come from? Where does your patient population with the greatest health needs reside?
• What areas do local business development organizations already work in?
• Are there any high-poverty zip codes in your service area? Are they any zip codes with significant health disparities?
• Have specific areas of need been identified in your strategic plan or community health needs assessment?
• Has “local” been defined in any other area of your institution such as hiring?
• Is there an established business district or business corridor? Are there existing distribution centers and transportation networks to build off of? Shared business or warehouse space to leverage for business creation/expansion?
• Will residents with employment and transportation needs be able to access job opportunities that are created?

Who?

What does “community” mean to your institution?

Factors to consider:

• How is “community” defined in your mission statement? Your strategic plan? Your community health needs assessment?
• Are their any particular populations identified in your community health needs assessment as underserved or with health disparities?
• What are the demographics of your surrounding area? How does this compare to the demographics of your current vendor base?
• What populations struggle the most with unemployment or underemployment?
• Who are the major actors in the local business community?

Why?

Mission alignment? Long-term business case? Both?

• What are your pressing supply chain needs? Are there any existing gaps? Quality concerns? Upcoming contracts or capital projects?
• How does the long-term vitality of your city, region and local economy impact your institution’s long-term success and reputation?
• Is diversity identified as a priority for your institution? Are there any regulations you must follow in regards to diverse purchasing?
• Is sustainability identified as a priority for your institution? Any particular items that you are focusing on “greening”?
• How does focusing on inclusion and equity grow the local economy and improve community health?
• Does your institution participate in any collaborative economic revitalization efforts? Is there a city-level initiative around hiring and employment?
• Has unemployment been identified as a concern in your community health needs assessment? Do patient populations you serve struggle with unemployment or underemployment?