Originally written by Meaghan Burkett, posted in LinkedIn.

It’s an interesting space to find myself, having spent years in the environment and social sectors. But I now see it as a thread that spans my career, and I know it’s part of my life story. Is that sad or exciting?

So, here’s why I believe ownership and control of capital, especially capital assets, is vital for local communities, businesses, and the future of local economic and community development. And why I think you should focus on capital too.

Capital assets include things like land, natural resources, buildings, businesses, infrastructure, equipment, intellectual property, and other valuable assets. They are fundamental to the development of communities and local economies.

You need land to build houses, grow food 🌾, and natural resources for essential goods 🌍. You need buildings for living and running businesses 🏢. You need infrastructure for transport 🚛, hospitals 🏥, manufacturing 🏭, and primary production. You need businesses to develop and deliver goods and services 🛠️.

But the power of capital assets extends beyond their immediate uses.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY – the person, business, or organisation that owns and controls them will benefit the most—and will decide who else benefits.

Here are some of the benefits that flow from owning and controlling capital assets:

• Income generation & retention: 💰 Assets generate profits, dividends, interest, and rent. When you own and control these assets, the income flows to you and your community.
• Commercial opportunities: 💼 Owning land or businesses opens up numerous opportunities. When you control these assets, those opportunities are in your hands.
• Use & benefits: ⚙️ Assets can serve various purposes. By owning and controlling them, you can direct their use toward what matters most to you and your community.
• Appreciation over time: 📈 Assets like property or shares often increase in value. Ownership ensures that this growing value benefits you and your community.
• Investment opportunities: 📊 Ownership of assets creates opportunities for further investment.
• Financing leverage: 💵 Assets provide leverage to secure financing and expand growth potential.
• Long-term stability: 🛡️ Ownership provides security and stability, helping communities and businesses withstand economic shifts and pressures.
• Social equity: ⚖️ Inclusive ownership of assets reduces inequality by ensuring more people benefit from local resources and opportunities.

If you want to lead the way toward an empowered and prosperous future for your community or business, you can’t afford to be indifferent about capital.

The question is: Who should own and control the assets in your community? 🤔

If you think the answer should be local people, we’d love to hear from you: https://lnkd.in/gUThS-73