empowering communities
to envision and enact resilient futures

300 Block is community development.

300 Block is a mission-driven consulting firm specializing in housing, land use, and community development.

We are planners, teachers, and economists focused on empowering communities to envision and enact resilient futures.

Our work is guided by curiosity, driven by data, and rooted in inclusive community engagement, to help governments, non-profits, and economic development organizations build stronger, more equitable communities.

From affordable housing plans to comprehensive community strategies, we turn bold ideas into implementable action — grounded in place and shaped by the people who live there.

What We Do

    • Comprehensive Housing Needs Assessments

    • Housing Strategic Plans

    • Housing Market Analyses

    • Consolidated Plans

    • Comprehensive Plans/Master Plans

    • GIS and Story Maps

    • Program Evaluation

    • Policy Drafting and Analysis

    • Stakeholder Engagement

    • Community Surveys

    • Open Houses

    • Town Halls

    • Training and Education

  • We offer a suite of related services that strengthen community decision-making and support broader planning goals.

    • Real Estate Market Analyses

    • Economic Development Strategic Plans

    • Labor Market Analyses

    • Economic Impact Analyses

Where Our Consultants Have Worked

(and what it’s taught us)

In our nearly ten years of combined experience, we have worked on projects in more than 20 states across the U.S.

We’ve learned that no two communities are the same and each project needs to be built from the ground up. We don’t do copy-and-paste planning. We approach each new project with curiosity and without preconceived notions. We pride ourselves on taking the time to learn about our partner communities and consider the qualitative and quantitative data equally.

Meet the Team

Erin Brown
Co-Founder and COO

Aaron Finley, AICP
Co-Founder and CEO

Equal parts planner and strategist, Aaron brings a deep curiosity to understand a community’s current conditions and the vision to create actionable paths towards its future.

He has worked on projects for communities from coast to coast, both urban and rural, helping them tackle challenges across housing, workforce development, land use, and economic development. His interdisciplinary background helps him to see connections between people, place, and opportunity and to design actionable strategies that move communities forward.

He lives in Ohio with his wife Meredith, their son Micah, and their dog Matilda. On weekends, you can find him cheering on his favorite basketball team, the Indiana Hoosiers, win or lose.

Education

Kent State University, M.A. English

Indiana University, B.A. English

With a passion for uncovering patterns and meaning in data, Erin helps communities make smarter, more informed decisions.

An economist by training and self-described data nerd, she specializes in making complex information accessible through dashboards, spatial analysis, and clear visualizations that guide decision-making. Her work spans housing, workforce, and economic development, helping communities understand where they stand and how to move forward with confidence.

She lives in Maine with her partner Phill, and their cats, Fred and Otis. On weekends, you can find her on a bike, or in the woods, or on a bike in the woods.

Education

University of Maine, M.S. Economics

University of Maine, B.S. Economics