How to Create an Asset Inventory

Hailstone Economic recently worked with Berwick: The Next Stepto develop a health-focused marketing plan for the greater Berwick area. At Hailstone Economic, we believe that community and economic development that is grounded in an appreciation of each community’s unique assets is more effective and sustainable. Before launching new projects, existing assets like public spaces, community groups, historic buildings, and recreational areas should be explored and inventoried so that these assets can be integrated into plans and projects.

We were delighted to see that Berwick: The Next Step included an asset inventory as one of the project deliverables! The process of creating the inventory has four basic steps:

1. Collect data
2. Organize data
3. Share data
4. Use data

We collected data from a variety of sources. We drove and walked around, talked to local residents and business owners, surveyed using Google Maps, and searched a variety of online resources such as the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) website and chamber of commerce directories. We also found that reviews on Facebook and Yelp from local residents were a great source of information! But before we could start gathering information, we needed to define what it was that we were looking for! We decided to define health holistically and therefore included things like community groups that promote social cohesion and restaurants that offer healthier options (like grab and go salads or vegetarian options). 

We decided to organize all of the data we collected as we went along, so steps 1 and 2 happened simultaneously in this case. We put everything in a Google Sheet including the name of the asset, location, contact person, and a brief description. We also developed a classification system so that entries could be sorted or grouped. Our classification system included social determinants of health, health conditions, food, recreation, audience, fitness, and healthcare services. Each of these was then broken down into smaller groups. For instance, Food was broken down into categories like restaurants, fresh/local food, and food access/food pantries.

The next step is to share the data. Because we used a Google Sheet, we were able to easily share this document with as many people as we wanted. But we wanted the information to be as user-friendly as possible we imported the spreadsheet into a custom Google Map that can be embedded on any other website for the general public. We were careful not to import all of details because that would have been too much information for a person interested in finding health-related resources. We created an icon and color-coding system to help users more easily find resources.

The last step is to use the data. The entire marketing plan that we developed was based on the assets we inventoried. Every strategy that we suggested highlighted those resources to promote recognition and utilization. Taken together, all of the assets demonstrate that this community is serious about health and it is a great place for health-conscious people to live and visit!