The premise of the GrowthFramework is that change is best grown from within. In regards to sustainability, community resources need to be adopted by the community as a part of their long-term strategy and vision for future growth.

Regardless of the origins of individual technologies, services and resources, they must become a part of the community fabric itself before the promises of sustainability can be fully realized.

The third step of the GrowthFramework is designed to achieve local ownership of resources and build local capacity for long-term growth. Community members should be fully trained in the use of new technology resources, and new programs should be designed to engage local leadership and encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.

In addition, it is important to measure the impacts of community growth and hold them accountable to the original goals of the community. In many cases, modifications and adjustments will need to made to bring growth dynamics back into alignment with community objectives.