Southern Region Program Leadership Network
August 27 - 30, 2007
Community Development Committee
Reporting Institutions
• Clemson University
• Mississippi State University
• Louisiana State University
• University of Florida
• University of Arkansas
• Auburn University
• University of Tennessee
• Florida A&M University
• University of Kentucky
• Alcorn State University
• Oklahoma State University
• Kentucky State University
• South Carolina State University
• University of Georgia
1. Name of Person submitting report
• David Hughes
• Will McCarty/Alan Barefield
• Ntam Baharanyi
• Hank Cothran
• Deborah Tootle
• Joe Sumners
• Dr. Michael D. Wilcox, Jr.
• Sandra Thompson
• Steve Isaacs
• Mike D Woods
• Gae Broadwater
• Louis D. Whitesides
• John C. McKissick, Director Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development
2. Program Description and Staffing Plan
Clemson University
•
Clemson University dedicated the Sandhill Research and Education Center (REC)
as the site for the Clemson Institute for Economic and Community Development
(CIECD).
All CD agents, who primarily serve multi-county regions, report to CIECD. CIECD
is staffed by the Sandhill REC Director, a professional Program Director, three onsite tenure-track faculty (with academic appointments on campus), one tenure-track
faculty on-campus, and several other professional positions.
The State Rural Development Council, Leadership South Carolina, and other
strategic partner organizations are co-located with CIECD. CIECD provided office
and clerical staff support, as well as salary support for these organizations.
Mississippi State University
•
The Community Resource Development programming area is comprised of twelve
faculty and professional staff housed in two administrative units.
Six FTEs (three faculty and three professional staff) are charged with developing
and implementing educational programming and technical assistance in the areas
of community and economic development and analysis, entrepreneurship and small
business development, leadership, healthcare assistance, public infrastructure, and
community strategic planning.
The other six FTEs are focused on delivering education and technical training to
elected and appointed government officials, as well as coordinating emergency
management training programs.
University of Florida
•
Florida did a grassroots, long range plan in 2004 to identify Florida’s critical need
areas. These critical needs were prioritized and divided into seven goal areas that
were further divided into 29 focus areas.
Goal 6 is titled Healthy Communities and is comprised of critical needs identified in
the strategic planning related to community development. This goal is comprised of
four focus teams as follows:
 Focus team 1. Addressing the Urban/Rural Interface
 Focus team 2. Broad-based Citizen Participation and Active Communities
 Focus team 3. Economic Diversity
 Focus team 4. Community Preparedness Each goal and focus area uses a
logistic model that provides necessary information from situational statement
to expected outcomes and impacts.
All faculty involved in programs related to healthy communicates report in the state
accountability system (Unifas) using goal 6 which allows state aggregation of
community development information. Goal and focus teams and logic models can
be found at http://pdec.ifas.ufl.edu (click on goal and focus team membership
University of Arkansas
•
Program Description and Staffing Plan: The mission statement of the University of
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Community and Economic Development
program is “To improve the social and economic well-being of Arkansas
communities through research-based educational programming that increases the
knowledge, skills and participation of citizens in creating their desired future.”
Programming focuses on the following areas:
Visioning and Strategic Planning, Leadership, Economic Development, Local
Government Finance and Public Policy. These emphasis areas and the flagship
programs within these areas have been identified and developed through extensive
strategic planning and detailed committee work over the past few years.
Program Descriptions:
 Visioning and Strategic Planning:
o Breakthrough Solutions helps communities and regions create and
implement a blueprint for a sustainable future. Connected
Communities harnesses the power of information technologies and
broadband connectivity to facilitate economic development and
improve the quality of life in local communities.
 Leadership:
o Flagship programs LeadAR and ConnectAR, help community, county,
and state-wide organizations by identifying and training active and
effective leaders.
 Economic Development:
o UAEX CED helps communities identify economic opportunities and
implement alternative economic development strategies. Arkansas
Procurement Assistance Center (APAC) provides training, technical
assistance and resources to help Arkansas businesses sell products
and services to public agencies and their contractors. Faculty promote
the development and support of rural entrepreneurs through both
community and youth based entrepreneurship programs. Income Tax
School provides reviews and updates on tax law for tax professionals.
 Local Government Finance:
o UAEX CED provides educational programs and resources that help
local government officials and community members understand fiscal
issues and develop strategies for providing basic services and
infrastructure.
 Public Policy Center:
o The Public Policy Center provides analysis and public education on
health, environmental and public finance issues and ballot initiatives
to help Arkansas residents in the public decision making process.
Faculty and Staff:
The UAEX CED program is supported by 6 FTEs at the Professor and
Associate Professor levels. 3.5 FTEs at the Instructor/Educator levels and 8
FTEs at the Research/Program Assistant, Associate, and Coordinator levels.
Faculty and staff are as follows:
 Tony Windham – Professor and Assistant Director, Agriculture and
Natural Resources and Community and Economic Development
 Lorrie Barr – Program Associate, Public Policy Center
 Coates – Instructor and Program Director, APAC
 Tom Haynes – Research Assistant, Community and Economic
Development
 Mary Love – Procurement Advisor, APAC
 Kim Magee – Program Associate, Community and Economic
Development
 Stacey McCullough – Instructor, Community and Economic Development
 Wayne Miller – Professor, Community and Economic Development
 Richard Moss – Program Associate, Community and Economic
Development
 John Payne – Instructor, Public Policy Center
 Mark Peterson – Professor, Community Development
 Tom Riley – Associate Professor and Director, Public Policy Center
 Maureen Rose – Program Associate, Community and Economic
Development
 Tammy Seefeld – Instructor, Community and Economic Development
 Delbert Taylor – Program Associate, APAC
 Dot Temple – Program Coordinator, LeadAR
 Deborah Tootle – Associate Professor, Community and Economic
Development
 Joe Waldrum – Professor, LeadAR
Auburn University
•
Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI) Auburn University and
Alabama Cooperative Extension System Auburn University Reorganization.
On June 1, 2006, Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension
System (ACES) combined forces and resources into a single comprehensive
economic and community development program, creating the Economic and
Community Development Institute (ECDI). The former AU Economic Development
Institute (EDI) and the Extension Community Resource Development (CRD)
program were merged to create ECDI.
The mission of ECDI is “to improve the quality of life of all Alabama citizens by
promoting continuous improvement of economic and community development
policy and practice through communication, education, research, and community
assistance.”
ECDI has four primary goals:
1. Communication, Connections, and Partnership: “Facilitate communication,
coordination, and partnerships among Alabama’s economic development
community, Extension, and Auburn University.
2. Education: “Improve the practice of economic and community development in
Alabama through targeted educational programs.”
3. Research and Publications: “Conduct research and disseminate research
findings on issues related to economic and community development in
Alabama.”
4. Community Outreach and Engagement: “Help build and strengthen economic
and community capacity in Alabama communities through
a.
leadership development,
b.
civic engagement,
c.
strategic planning, and
d.
economic development.”
ECDI seeks to play a leading role in revitalizing Alabama communities, especially in
the state’s rural areas. ECDI intends to strengthen community capacity to engage
local challenges, take advantage of opportunities, and build on available assets.
Staff:
 Dr. Joe A. Sumners serves as the Director of ECDI, providing leadership for
economic and community development programming for both Extension and
Auburn University.
 Mr. Mike Easterwood, Senior Outreach Associate. Mr. Easterwood has
expertise in policy research, grant writing, and strategic planning.
 Ms. Amelia Stehouwer, Outreach Assistant II. Ms Stehouwer has expertise
in education / training program development, and civic engagement.
 Dr. Thomas Chesnutt works as a specialist in the areas of tourism, agritourism, and retiree attraction.
 Mr. Arturo Menefee is a specialist in the area of leadership (youth, adult,
community, and organizational).
 Ms. Markie Southerland is the ECDI administrative assistant.
 During Fall 2007, ECDI will recruit a new staff member to serve as an
economic development specialist.
 In addition to these statewide specialists, Extension also allocates 25% of
the time of each of the three Extension District Directors, and not less than
10% of the time of each of the 67 County Extension Coordinators, to the
community and economic development program area.
University of Tennessee
•
 Dr. Michael D. Wilcox, Jr. joined the Extension faculty in April 2006. His
primary focus is rural economic development.
 Dr. Dayton Lambert joined the research faculty in September 2006. His
primary focus is rural economic development.
 Mr. David Bilderback employed as a farm and financial management area
specialist. He joins nine other specialists in this area. Their responsibilities
include working with small rural businesses to improve their economic
performance. Area farm and financial management specialists continue to
conduct highly successful “Using Computerized Records to Improve Your
Business” workshops targeting small rural businesses.
 The Department of Agricultural Economics recently finished a strategic
planning process. One outcome was the creation of a Rural Development
Working Group that will foster coordinated collaboration within the
Department and create partnerships within and outside of the University of
Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA).
 The Center for Profitable Agriculture (CPA) is a partnership between The
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) and the Tennessee
Farm Bureau Federation. The CPA has been created to increase the value
of Tennessee's economy through new, expanded and improved processing
and marketing of agricultural, aqua cultural and forestry products, as well as
home-based industries.
Florida A&M University
•
The Entrepreneurial Rural Business Development Project (ERBDP) is a successful
1890 Land-Grant Institutions Rural Entrepreneurial Outreach and Development
Initiative (REOD) funded through Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA and
Florida A & M University (FAMU).
FAMU's Cooperative Extension and Outreach Program in Tallahassee, the state
capital of Florida, implements ERBDP. ERBDP is designed to facilitate sustainable
job creation through business, community and economic development initiatives.
ERBDP provides services to residents in four (4) rural North Florida counties with
the greatest economic need.
The communities served are Gadsden, Hamilton, Jackson and Madison counties.
Jackson County is a federal designated Enterprise Zone. Gadsden, Hamilton and
Madison are Federal Champion Communities. Anticipated results over a three
year period include the following:
1) Business Success Club (BSC) members improve knowledge and skills in
credit worthiness, financial literacy, computer literacy and in how to grow
their for-profit or non-profit business;
2) Loan and grant funds are secured and sustained and jobs are created and
retained in each target community;
3) The general population of rural residents' knowledge and skills in business
development increases as a result of their contact with BSC members, and
exposure to ERBDP outreach and information dissemination activities; and
4) The quality of life of rural residents in target counties, improve. Staffing Plan:
The Entrepreneurial Rural Business Development Project's staffing plan
consists of the following:
a. Principal Investigator/Project Directory, Dr. Lawrence Carter who is
also the Associate Dean of Cooperative Extension
b. Assistant Project Director, Sandra Thompson
c. Business Plan Development Coordinator, Tia Wright
d. Business Development Technology Coordinator, Cedric Spradley
University of Kentucky
•
Community and Economic Development is considered a responsibility of all agents
at the county level across Ag, FCS, and 4-H program areas.
Kentucky has approximately 410 agents in county positions.
 Three agent positions have exclusive CED responsibilities.
 Two are Fine Arts agents and one is CED.
 Currently (8/07) the CED position is vacant but will be filled this fall.
 Agents are supported by 10-12 specialists and associates in the
departments of Community and Leadership Development and Agricultural
Economics as well as specialists from Kentucky State University.
 One 0.75 administrative position serves as state program leader.
Oklahoma State University
•
The CD program at OSU consists of three principle focus areas:
 community services and infrastructure;
 economic development; and
 local government.
The three areas are interrelated and there is a lot of interaction. We currently have
four state specialists with CD focus and two area specialists. We work closely with
other faculty and county educators.
Kentucky State University
•
Community Resource and Economic Development programming focuses on
community capacity building in the areas of leadership development,
entrepreneurship and small business development, emergency management, and
multicultural outreach.
There are two extension specialists for CRED and one coordinator for the Hispanic
Initiative.
We work with County Extension Agents on a project by project basis throughout the
state.
South Carolina State University
•
1890 Adult Leadership & Community Development The new millennium is teeming
with complex business and social ambiguities compounded by powerful emerging
technologies.
Successful leadership at any level in an organization under these conditions
demands a new dynamic leadership style that we have termed Adult Leadership.
Development of Adult Leadership demands a fresh approach that is embodied in
1890 Adult Leadership programs.
Successful economic development begins with effective planning and a strategic
view of a community's future goals. Developing an economic development plan
prepares a community for future changes and addresses immediate needs facing
an area.
The department works in partnership with several organizations to offer assistance
to communities, municipalities, counties, organizations and local economic
development groups to help ensure that they can meet their long-term objectives.
By encouraging and facilitating public and private partnerships our Community
Development Division staff coordinates those efforts with federal, state and local
partners to leverage limited funds and find effective solutions for local needs.
Educational Areas:
 Strategic Planning
 Non- Profit Organization Formulation
 Computer Training
 Business Management
 Loan Packaging
 Marketing
 Bookkeeping
 Customer Service
 Product Development Goals and Objectives.
The aim of the program is to design and develop an effective network of business
and economic development programs for limited resource persons who reside in
our state of South Carolina. The chief goal of the program is to effectuate
permanent jobs and business development and other socioeconomic changes,
through the delivery of educational information leading to a shift in thinking from
past and present to future ways of doing business.
Personnel:
 Louis D. Whitesides, Senior Extension Director
 Melanie Briggman, Administrative Assistant
 Adolphus Johnson, Extension Agent
 Leisha Bodrick, Extension Agent
 Debra Brown, Extension Agent
University of Georgia
•
Georgia Extension does not support a formal, coordinated program in community
development. Community and economic development Extension programming is
supported directly through the College of Family of Consumer Sciences and in the
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, through the Center for
Agribusiness and Economic Development. In addition, UGA Extension collaborates
with other UGA Public Service and Outreach units organized as separate nonacademic based entities in the UGA system.
3. Program Highlights for 2007
Clemson University
•
Program highlights include, the start of the Clemson University Innovation Center
supported by USDA Rural Development. Center activities will focus on helping
appropriate rural organizations and businesses obtain grant funding and support
the development of business plans. Strategic planning continues to be a major
focus. For example, our charette program continues to be well received, with
successful efforts in Gaffney, Saluda, and other smaller in-state communities.
 A county agent is developing a planning document for Horry County.
Significant effort was devoted to supporting a festival in a disadvantaged
area.
 Two strategic planning sessions were conducted in the area of workforce
development in cooperation local WIBs. Results from the sessions were
used in a document and conference conducted by the South Growth Policy
Board.
We also continue to provide support for business activity, including but not limited
to:
1) specialist and agent training in Access-e (e-commerce training
program);
2) on-going business incubator feasibility study for one community and a
"how to start and support an incubator" document in cooperation with
the state department of Commerce and others; and
3) supporting efforts to development an organic-based agricultural
cooperative in a disadvantaged region.
 Our agents continue to deliver local leadership training programs (Palmetto
Leadership).
 Agents are taking the lead in bringing the LEADS program to the state (an
agricultural and natural resources leadership training program)
 Developing a new women's leadership training program (SC Women's
Connection).
Mississippi State University
•
Program highlights include a re-staffing of the professional staff component of the
community development unit after that unit was absorbed by a comprehensive
academic unit. This restructuring has led to an increased focus on public
infrastructure programs (particularly those associated with public water systems)
and regional economic analysis.
In addition, increased funding and collaborations have strengthened the
programming unit’s focus on healthcare and its relationship with the community.
The CRD programming unit was also instrumental in hosting a series of listening
sessions across the state in conjunction with the Citizens Healthcare Working
Group, a non-partisan committee appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human
Services to address the deficiencies in the nation’s healthcare system. The
sessions held in Mississippi were the primary voice of rural Americans in
addressing healthcare coverage needs. Findings were published in a report that
was submitted to Congress and the President for future action.
Another area in which CRD programming unit faculty are making a tremendous
difference in the rural health landscape in Louisiana is the service of two faculty
members on the Mississippi Rural Health Association Board.
University of Florida
•
Florida Extension collects data on a calendar basis from January 1 to December
31.
Highlights taken from the Florida accountability system for 2006 include: a total of
3113 days expended by faculty on community development programs and activities
related to goal 6 (Healthy Communities).
Highlighted programs include a rural tourism initiative in Northwest Florida, disaster
preparedness program used in many counties across the state which included
activities focusing on cold protection and hurricane preparedness.
Enhancing team performance of county government is another highlighted program
offered in several counties, as is business retention and expansion survey
programs, the rural economic development initiative, and Southern rural
development center program.
Some of these programs are designed to reach diversity groups such as the Latino
Outreach which was designed to focus on improved economic well being of rural
Hispanic people and communities in Gadsden County, and another that focused on
senior citizens in Miami-Dade county to increase their level of community
preparedness.
University of Arkansas
•
 Training and Curricula/Tools for County Agents, Youth and adult
entrepreneurship education and curricula Local government workshops and
curricula Templates for analyzing fiscal trends Ballot issues education&
 Conferences Organized Farm Foundation’s National Public Policy Education
Conference Third Biennial Arkansas Water Conference Boast Town or
Ghost Town: Who Will Come, Who Will Stay, Who Will Be Left Behind?
Economic and Environmental Issues in Arkansas: A Policy Perspective
Second Annual Veterans in Business Conference
 Community and State-wide Programs and Projects: 13th LeadAR Class
Creation of ConnectAR Program creation of Arkansas Non-Point Source
Pollution Management Plano Creation of Storm water Management
Education Program Breakthrough Solutions Connected Communities
Government Contracting Course Income Tax School
Auburn University
•
Goal #1: Communication, Connections, and Partnership:
7. Alabama Rural Roundtable.
 ECDI sponsored a statewide forum on rural development in
June 2006 in Auburn. The event was one of many such
roundtables held throughout the South, sponsored by the
Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) in cooperation
with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Approximately 55 rural
stakeholders from throughout Alabama attended the session.
 The information from the Roundtable was used to help ECDI
fashion its strategic plan. The Roundtable results also
informed ECDI’s staffing decision to hire a leadership
development specialist. (“Leadership development” was
identified as the top rural development priority in Alabama by
Roundtable participants). It also informed ECDI’s funding
priorities for the new Rural Alabama Initiative (RAI) grant
program. Leadership development and workforce
development projects, which were the top two priority areas
identified by Roundtable participants, were given top priority
for RAI funding.
 Joe Sumners participated in a Rural Development
Roundtable sponsored by the Southern Rural Development
Center (SRDC) (October 24-25, 1996, Atlanta).
8. I-85 Corridor Alliance.
 ECDI is the home for the I-85 Corridor Alliance and Joe
Sumners serves as the executive director. The I-85 Corridor
Alliance is a regional partnership of government, civic,
business and educational stakeholders dedicated to
promoting innovation, prosperity, collaboration, and
competitiveness along Interstate 85 in Alabama. –
http://www.auburn.edu/i85corr
 ECDI developed and maintains a regional economic
development asset inventory for the I-85 Corridor. http://www.auburn.edu/outreach/edi/i85assetinventory.pdf
9. Rural Alabama Website
 ECDI maintains a website devoted to rural development for
Alabama. The site includes a description of ECDI and the
Alabama Rural Roundtable Report. It also includes many
rural development publications and resources that may be
downloaded.- http://www.auburn.edu/edi/alroundtable.pdf
10. Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) Program.
 ECDI is participating with representatives of other
organizations in the Alabama Communities of Excellence
(ACE) Program. ACE, a unique partnership of Alabama
private-sector, public-sector and non-profit organizations,
currently provides community development assistance to
small communities throughout Alabama. http://www.alabamacommunitiesofexcellence.org
11. Governor’s Alabama Black Belt Action Commission.
 Joe Sumners and Tom Chesnutt are serving as technical
advisors to the Alabama Black Belt Commission. Joe is
working with the Skills Training and Community Development
committees. Tom is working with the Marketing and Tourism
committee. – http://www.blackbeltaction.org
12. Governor’s Alabama Rural Action Commission.
 Joe Sumners serves as special advisor to the Alabama Rural
Action Commission Executive Committee.
13. Newsletter.
 ECDI publishes the Extension ACTION quarterly newsletter,
which is distributed to stakeholders throughout Alabama.
Each issue highlights one topic of interest related to
community and economic development.
Goal #2: Education
1. Auburn University Intensive Economic Development Training
Course
 ECDI conducts an annual two-week AU Intensive
Economic Development Training Course. In its 22-year
history, over 750 economic and community developers
have participated. Participants include city and county
elected officials, representatives of utility companies,
chambers of commerce, industrial development boards,
state agencies, regional planning commissions, and
private industry. The first week of the 2007 Auburn
University Intensive Economic Development Course
was conducted July 23rd-27th at the Hotel at Auburn
University and Dixon Conference Center. The course
included 60 participants, and many others were turned
away because of lack of space. The second week of
the course is scheduled for September 10th-14th.
2. Auburn University Graduate Minor in Economic Development
 ECDI administers the inter-disciplinary (business,
public administration, community planning, rural
sociology) Graduate Minor in Economic Development.
Twelve students are currently enrolled in the program.
3. Impact Alabama Roundtable.
 ECDI, in partnership with the Auburn University
president’s office, has created a new executive
economic development training program for Alabama’s
top economic developers. The Impact Alabama
Roundtable brings together a class of 12 economic
development executives each year for six two-day
issue-oriented forums -- addressing important issues
facing Alabama in the field of economic development.
Impact Alabama meets on a bimonthly basis. ECDI
provides program management for Impact Alabama,
and Joe Sumners serves as the course manager. This
year’s class includes:
o the President and CEO, Economic Partnership
of Alabama;
o the Speaker of the Alabama House of
Representatives;
o the Director, Alabama Development Office;
o the VP for Economic and Community
Development, Alabama Power Company;
o the President, Metropolitan Development Board
(Birmingham);
o the President, Huntsville-Madison County
Chamber of Commerce;
o the President, Montgomery Area Chamber of
Commerce;
o the President, Mobile Area Chamber of
Commerce;
o the President and CEO, North Alabama
Industrial Development Association),
o the Executive Director, Calhoun County
Economic Development Council,
o the President, Economic Development
Association of Alabama; and
o the President, Alabama Electric Cooperative.
4. Southern Growth Policies Board (SGPB) Deliberative Forums.
 Joe Sumners participated in a Southern Growth Policies
Board (SGPB) Workforce Development Retreat in Raleigh,
North Carolina (August 7-9, 2006). Participants included
about 75 economic and workforce development policy
experts from 12 southern states. The group began
developing workforce development goals and strategies for
the annual SGPB report.
 ECDI staff moderated workforce development forums for
SGPB. Forums were conducted in Montgomery (February
4), Prattville (February 21), and Guntersville (February 22).
Information from these forums, and hundreds of others
conducted across the South, informed the 2007 SGPB
Report on the Future of the South presented at the
Southern Workforce Summit in St. Louis, MO (June 2007)
Goal #3:
Goal #4
Research and Publications
1. Civic Engagement and Civil Economics
 ECDI has an ongoing project with the Kettering Foundation to
conduct research on civic engagement and civil economics. A
previous report of the project, “Building Community: The
Uniontown Story,” has been translated into Spanish and
distributed throughout Latin America.
 Joe Sumners and Amelia Stehouwer have written a book
chapter, “Community Building in Small-town,” for a
forthcoming Kettering Foundation-sponsored book about civil
economics and international economic development. The
book will be published in 2008.
2. Success Strategies for Small Towns
 Joe Sumners wrote a chapter for a new book about
economic development. The book, co-edited by Doug
Watson and John Morris, will be titled Building Local
Economies. Joe’s chapter, “Strategies for Small Town
Success,” focuses on development in rural and
economically-challenged communities. The book is
scheduled for publication in 2008.
3. Alabama Black Belt Research Project
 ECDI is conducting research focusing on civic engagement
and economic development in the Alabama Black Belt.
Community Outreach and Engagement
1. Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) Program.
 ECDI is an active participant in the ACE Program, which
focuses on assisting communities with populations
between 2,000 and 12,000. ACE communities are guided
through three stages of assistance, including an inventory
of community assets (phase 1), creation of a leadership
program and strategic plan (phase 2), and help with
comprehensive planning, industrial attraction and
retention, commercial and business development, tourism,
education enhancement, health and human services,
recreation, and general quality of life improvements
(phase) Thirteen communities have been designated
Alabama Communities of Excellence. ECDI and its ACE
partners are currently working with six other communities.
– http://www.auburn.edu/edi/ace.
2. Rural Alabama Initiative.
 ECDI is administering the approximately $500,000
Extension-funded mini-grant program to support
community and economic development projects
throughout Alabama. Grants of between $1,000 and
$25,000 were awarded to worthy education-related
projects submitted by County Extensions Coordinators
(CECs) and organizations partnering with CECs.
 120 proposals were received, requesting over $2 million.
48 projects were funded ($497,000), many focusing on
community leadership development and workforce
development.
3. Hurricane Katrina Economic Recovery Plan
 ECDI partnered with the University of Alabama Center for
Economic Development on a project to develop an
economic recovery strategic plan for 24 Alabama counties
impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The project was funded by
the Alabama Department of Economic and Community
Affairs.
4. ACES-Rural Conservation & Development Councils (RC&D)
Grant Program
 ECDI administers the approximately $1 million dollar
Extension-funded RC&D grant program. Grant guidelines
were revised to strengthen Extension’s role in the
development and implementation of these grants. ECDI
organized three regional meetings of Extension and RC&D
staff to ensure that everyone has a common understanding
of the expectations for the 2007 ACES-RC&D Grant
Program. The meetings were held in Birmingham,
Demopolis, and Auburn (February and March, 2007).
CECs and RC&D Council project directors were given the
opportunity to share ideas for improving the program.
5. Graysville Economic Development Plan
 ECDI staff helped the City of Graysville (Jefferson County)
conduct a strategic plan for economic development for the
city. ECDI helped develop the economic development
portion of the plan (in cooperation with Regional Planning
Commission of Greater Birmingham).
6. Strategic Plan for the Poarch Creek Indians.
 ECDI is facilitating a strategic planning process for
economic development for the Poarch Creek Band of
Choctaw Indians (Atmore, Alabama). The Bureau of Indian
Affairs is funding the project.
7. Strategic Plan for the Headland Community.
 ECDI is facilitating a strategic planning process for the
community of Headland, Alabama.
University of Tennessee
•
The new Tennessee Biofuels Initiative includes research on biomass crops,
producer education, and construction of a pilot biofuel refinery to demonstrate and
refine ethanol production from cellulosic biomass (principally switch grass and
woody materials) as well as to work out issues related to continuous production
streams, feedstock transportation, and product distribution. UT Extension is
providing expertise in all of these areas as applied researchers and through the
development of educational programming and materials aimed at potential Initiative
participants and the public.
 A new UT Extension initiative, “Sustainable Tennessee” was introduced
on August 1,2007 to over 140 Extension personnel in Family and
Consumer Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and 4-H.
Sustainable Tennessee will formally launch in 2008 and involves
community development oriented programming including:
Entrepreneurial Communities:
Entrepreneurship is critical to economic development. This program
identifies key attributes communities need to encourage and support
entrepreneurship. Strategies for community adoption and methods to
measure success will be introduced. Programming options for youth,
individuals, businesses and communities will be included.
 Smart Growth:
Smart Growth is development that serves the economy, community and
the environment. Research and experience shows that the built
environment profoundly influences health. This program will introduce
the Smart Growth principles and showcase program successes.
Programming options for youth, agriculture and family and consumer
sciences will be included. Healthy Housing: The National Center for Healthy Housing is a non-profit
organization supported by the EPA, the CDC, HUD and others. The
mission is to develop and promote practical methods to protect children
from environmental health hazards while preserving affordable housing.
Tennessee is going to become a regional training center. Options for
youth, agriculture and family and consumer sciences programming will
be included Affordable Housing: Home ownership is the primary way many people
build assets. There are many programs available to help consumers
achieve the American dream of owning a home. This program attempts
to contact current and potential homeowners with information regarding
affordable housing programs and how to make informed choices.
 In partnership with the Southern Growth Policies Board, twelve
community forums were held across Tennessee in February 2007, which
brought together a broad base of representation (~250 people) to
discuss challenges, issues, and opportunities related to developing a
globally competitive workforce in Tennessee. The University of
Tennessee’s Institute for Public Service and Institute of Agriculture
(through UT Extension) worked in partnership with the Tennessee
Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Tennessee
Tomorrow and local and regional partners to conduct seven of the twelve
community forums in Tennessee.
 A final report has been prepared by SGPB. The Institute for Public
Service and UT Extension will release a Tennessee-specific report in
August 2007 that will be used by local, regional and state entities
engaged in workforce development.
 The Center for Profitable Agriculture recently hosted a conference in the
Upper Cumberland of Tennessee with the theme of "Developing Rural
Business".
Florida A&M University
•
FY 2006 (October 2006 to June 2007) Accomplishments: Success Stories.

Superior Financial GroupThis organization carries the Small Office Home Office (SOHO) Loan
and has agreed to provide ERBDP information about their loan and
become a TA provider for ERBDP’s client regarding this loan. The goal is
to determine if ERBDP can provide SOHO technical assistance service
to its own clients.

The Creating Business Success Conference was a big success, as
reported in the FY 05/06 Report of Accomplishment. At least 100
participants attended the conference. Through technical assistance
provided by ERBDP, three of the attendees are in the process of
receiving non-profit and tax-exemption technical assistance. A couple
(Johnson's) completed their initial, exit interviews, and then received their
business plan.

Lily Mascho is a legally blind rabbit hobbyist, who lives in Gainesville,
Florida. Mrs. Mascho and her husband have been dreaming of a fully
developed rabbit farm for entrance into the commercial sector of the
rabbit breeding and production industry, but it never seemed to be within
their reach. For the past three years, Mrs. Mascho, along with the help of
her husband have been working with the agency for disability and its
representative, Howard Bell, to participate in a grant giving program for
individuals with disabilities to be self-sufficient, entrepreneurs. Mrs.
Mascho, through the advice of the agency contacted SCORE, for the
creation of a business plan. However, due to the nature of the rabbit farm
participating in rabbit meat production, members of the SCORE
organization refuse to do a business plan that highlighted exactly how the
rabbit farm would make that bulk of its resources, which resulted in the
continued rejection of a grant to fund their business plan. Lily Mascho
and her husband decided to pursue other agencies that provide technical
assistance for business start-up and expansion. She contacted USDA
Rural Development and Extension offices to inquire about their small
business programs that help the disabled write a business plan. Through
this avenue and other research mechanisms, Mrs. Mascho and her
husband learned about ERBDP. Over the next month, Mrs. Mascho, was
provided technical assistance by ERBDP’s Business Plan and
Development Coordinator, Tia Wright, on their business plan and was
able to produce a complete and elaborate business plan that helped her
receive a $15,000 grant from the disability self-sufficiency program to
develop her dream rabbit farm. Mrs. Mascho and husband stated that,
“ERBDP is North Florida’s best kept secret. Working with you enabled us
to accomplish something that we had been working on for three years. In
just two months, you wrote our business plan and now we have a
$15,000 grant." This is just one example of a success story where
ERBDP, Extension and Rural Development agencies, work together to
provide business and economic development technical assistance to
North Florida’s most disadvantaged residents.

Domestic Records has started an internship program as a strategy to
help develop the organization without the obligation of paying wages. The
client, with ERBDP staff assistance developed eye-catching fact sheets
and delivered them to three different colleges at FAMU (Journalism, SBI,
& Education) to advertise the internship opportunities.

Innovative Partners Coalition, Inc. (Pastor Barnhart & Brothers)
purchased 70 acres of land.

Wakulla Station Community Development Corporation application was
approved. The organization is now a
o
o
o
o
501 (c) 3. Service Delivery.
Quantity Outcomes 30
New clients 31 Initial assessments implemented 2438
Preparation activities for Clients:
 Research & Writing BP, NP, LLC & Work Shop Preparation
 5 Loan packages submitted $45,000.00 Grant and
 loan awards (Cass Childcare Center, loan for $35,000.00;
 Lilly's Pad Ranch, grant for $15,000.00)
 1 Grant Proposal written and submitted for a client
 1 Business expanded (Property Management business
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expanded to include home rehab and new home construction)
6 Business plans written
3 Non-profit applications completed
2 Organizations certified as Florida Non-profit 2501 (c )
3 applications submitted
35 Follow-up contacts
3 Exit interviews
11 Outreach activities for cooperative development
16 Business to Business Mentoring
263 Instances of mentoring and coaching activities
14 Collaborative established
22 Support efforts provided by ERBDP staff
2 New initiatives (newsletter - "Competitive Edge" and TV talk
show - "Let's Get It Started"
22 Different print resources distributed
36 Staff visits to local ERPNet public access sites
24 ERPNet maintenance activities
1523 ERPNet website views
14 Workshops presented
1 Conference hosted (Creating Business Success Conference)
14 Business and economic development publications
University of Kentucky
•
 Kentucky added a second Fine Arts position in March 2007. This
resulted from the success of the initial Fine Arts agent and the efforts of a
state legislator to secure state funding. This is a two-year commitment
with emphasis on indigenous Appalachian music.

The Pike County Arts program was recognized with a governor's arts
award in 2007 and continues to attract state and national attention.

In February, Kentucky became the fourth state to join the national Market
maker network. This is a web-based directory of food producers,
processors, wholesalers and retailers, and restaurants. Market maker
allows anyone in the food supply chain to search for source of or markets
for products. KY Market maker received 71,000 hits in its first month and
has been averaging about 50,000 hits per month since then.

Kentucky Extension agents and KY Dept. of Ag staff have been
instrumental in enrolling upwards of 500 farmers in the system.

Kentucky hosted the 9th National Value-Added Conference in Lexington
in June. Approximately 175 participants from 23 states attended the three
day conference.

The Kentucky Entrepreneurial Coaches Institute received $890,000 from
the state's Agricultural Development Board to fund a second round of two
classes of coaches. This follows on the successful completion of two
classes in 19 tobacco dependent counties in northeastern Kentucky. This
second round will target 22 counties in south central Kentucky.

A program to advance leadership opportunities within Extension hosted
a Situational Leadership II workshop in May and has presented a
proposal to Extension administration to develop an 18 month Extension
Leadership academy to equip Extension agents, associates, and
specialists in leadership development.
Oklahoma State University
•
Community Economic Development –
 Health Care. A reliable health care sector not only enhances the quality
of life in a community but also serves as a factor attracting new residents
and businesses. No one wants to live or work in a community where
health care is unreliable or sub-standard. The Community Health
Engagement Process works alongside rural hospitals to help
communities understand the importance of the health sector to their local
economy, and to rejuvenate interest in health care in their area. Initial
stages of the process provide products that show the economic impact of
the health sector; promote use of local services through a health services
directory; provide data covering health, behavioral, traffic, crime, and
education information; and a community assessment survey to determine
local opinions and concerns with health care services. This program is
typically held in 10 to 15 Oklahoma communities per year. Outcomes
include renewed support for struggling hospitals (including increased tax
support), feasibility studies on potential new services or doctors coming
to the area, or plans for wellness centers or Federally Qualified Health
Centers (FQHCs). This type of assistance is critical for local leaders who
do not possess the expertise to conduct these studies. Community
Economic
Development –
 Local Economic Analysis Research at DASNR has produced a database
and methodology which allows analysis of retail trade trends. The
database is maintained and updated annually. Results indicate where
local retail strengths and gaps exist. Local merchants and businesses
rely on this information to enhance local economic activity. Local retail
sales translate into profitable local businesses. Local governments also
rely heavily on the sales tax revenues generated to provide services and
enhance quality of life. Typically, reports are prepared in written text and
in PowerPoint presentations. Local county educators and community
development specialists present the materials and work with local leaders
to formulate action plans for improvement. In a typical year, 15 to 20
reports will be prepared for communities and/or community groups.

Partner state agencies frequently refer community leaders to OCES to
provide this research-based service. Several communities report
successful local retail development efforts which have utilized the data
and reports.
Community Economic Development – Solid Waste Solid waste
management is a topic that every community must address at some
level. With the potential for community unrest, illegal activities, and
increased expenses, educating local decision makers and general
citizens is becoming increasingly necessary. Each year, OCES
presentations are made at approximately 15 to 20 exhibits or
conferences, including those for the Oklahoma Municipal League, Keep
Oklahoma Beautiful, Solid Waste Association of North America, Intertribal
Environmental Council, and numerous county fairs. Partnering and
interacting with multiple agencies, NGOs, citizen’s groups, and
professional groups has enhanced opportunities for education. Fact
sheets dealing with relevant solid waste issues are provided at these
gatherings and made available online. The primary contribution of this
program is to provide education on the most relevant and important solid
waste issues of the day to appropriate individuals and groups.
Kentucky State University
•
For the past year have been conducting two projects with funding from USDA Rural
Development (1-Rural Business Enterprise Grant and 2-Rural Business Services
1890's grant). The projects focus on entrepreneurial development and building
local capacity. These funds have allowed KSU to employ an assistant county agent
to support project initiatives in seven western Kentucky counties. A business
retention study was conducted in one of the county with three additional studies to
be completed. A recent highlight of these efforts includes the completion of a small
business start-up class with 100% completion and the start-up of three new
businesses.
The KSU Youth Entrepreneurship just completed its 4th year with 30 students
participating. Students stayed on campus for a week, worked on teams, and
presented business plans to a panel of judges from USDA-Rural Development,
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis-Louisville Branch, KY Council on PostSecondary Education, KY Cabinet for Economic Development, and KSU School of
Business. KSU has been working with the local Franklin County business
community to implement an "energizing entrepreneurs" planning process for over
the past year. This included a meeting with local community decision makers and
community leaders to present regional and county level data.
Two working teams are developing
1) an assets map of resources for local entrepreneurs / small business owners
and
2) a survey to assess the interests and expectations of local entrepreneurs /
small business owners.
The KSU Entrepreneurship Roundtable is in its 4th year. This year's topics include
social entrepreneurship, global opportunities for small businesses, and managing
conflict in the small business workplace. The Roundtables are now recorded and
on file for future viewing.
E-commerce requests continue, both for workshops and individual consultations.
Small business development also continues to be an area of increasing requests as
a result of our ongoing offering of a one-day conference and networking
opportunities.
A new development this year is a woman’s entrepreneurs’ network--now operating
in 2 counties. In each location a group of women came together for an interest
meeting that now has propelled into several subsequent sessions that addressed
the topics of finding your niche, business plans development, and e-commerce.
South Carolina State University
•
Small Business Development Programs
a. These programs address the needs of citizens of South Carolina wishing to
start or expand small businesses and cooperatives. We serve the entire
state but our primary target areas are a 13 county area within our cluster
areas of Hampton, Marlboro, Orangeburg and Williamsburg Clusters. We
provide assistance to small businesses and cooperatives in the areas of
marketing, analysis, development, operations, customer service, finance,
planning, and international expansion. We develop and expand local
resources, and link local education institutions, government, and private
businesses to accomplish its goals. The purpose of the program is to:
1) Provide in-depth quality assistance to small businesses and
cooperatives in all areas that promote growth, expansion, innovation,
increased productivity and management improvement;
2) Develop and expand the unique resources of the local education
system, the private sector and government to provide services to the
small business and cooperative community that are not available
elsewhere;
3) Contribute to the economic growth of the community and create a broadbased delivery system of goods and services; and
4) Link resources of local, state and federal governments with those of the
local education system and the private sector to meet the needs of our
small business and cooperative community.
Impacts: Bringing about significant, widespread change in rural South
Carolina requires the dedication of many organizations. That's why the
1890 Program partnered with government agencies, business and
finance leaders, economic development professionals, educators and
researchers, members of the faith community, and non-profit and
grassroots leaders. Current Activity Statistics October 1, 2006 to July
20, 2007
a.
Clients Counseled - 114
b.
Field Trips - 105
c.
Potential Jobs Created or Saved - 17
d.
Business Plans Completed – 12
e.
Loan Applications Assisted - 7, Financing Requested:
$962,000.00 Loans Obtained: $835,000.00
f.
Workshops / Seminars / Classes – 17 Participants: 15
g.
Conferences: Entrepreneurship Expo 203 Youth
Entrepreneurship:
The Entrepreneurship Expo provided high school seniors the
opportunity to learn about the rewards of business
ownership. The goal is to cultivate world-class business
leaders who have strong character and the ability to make a
difference in the world around them. The Entrepreneurship
Expo teaches young people about the principles of
entrepreneurship through workshops, competitions, and
rewards. The students represent twelve high schools from
within our cluster areas of Hampton, Marlboro, Williamsburg
and Orangeburg. Workshops: Throughout the Expo, there
were multiple workshop sessions. Participants learned
about developing business ideas, writing a business plan,
and operating a business. The Entrepreneurship Expo
featured the following sessions: Is Business Ownership
Right for Me? Business Planning Marketing and Advertising
Teambuilding Business Etiquette Competitions: Participating
high schools had the opportunity to enter teams into the
Entrepreneurship Expo Business Plan Competition. Teams
prepared business plans and presentations to compete with
other teams from across the state. First, second, and third
place prizes are given.
Impacts: Entrepreneurship Expo realized the following
results: 203 students participated in the Expo; 88 percent of
participants “agreed or strongly agreed” that they would be
able to utilize the expo information in their current or future
business; 92 percent of participants “agreed or strongly
agreed” that the expo was very helpful and informative; 82
percent of participants “agreed or strongly agreed” they
would recommend the expo to others. Computer Literacy
(Introduction to Computers & Microsoft Word) This program
provides a stand-alone, hands-on introduction to personal
computer hardware and operating systems for:
(1) the beginning computer professional,
(2) computing to improve the chance for success in an
educational environment,
(3) improved chances for success in the workplace, or
(4) computing at home. Computer literacy classes are taught
at designated locations in the Orangeburg area. The
classes include training in the following areas: computers,
keyboarding, Internet and E-mail. Our staff assists in setting
up E-mail accounts based on their respective needs for
personal or business solutions. Computer literacy training is
offered to ensure continuous education and promote
economic growth. After completion, persons without access
to computers will be routed to the community-based
organizations where computers are accessible.
Partnerships will be formed with schools, public libraries,
community action agencies and other public centers for the
purpose of allowing community residents to have access to
computers. Further access will be afforded to participants
for business and general education information. Computing
fundamentals include hardware, software, Internet, E-mail,
search engines and operating systems (Focusing on
Windows); Key Applications will focus on word processing
and spreadsheets with minor information regarding
databases and presentation software.
Impact: There were a total of 102 students to attend the 2007 computer sessions
with the majority of them excited about what they had learned. Participants had
renewed confidence in themselves for what they were able to accomplish in the
class.
This also expanded the possibilities of what could be accomplished in the future.
Some students went on to enroll in other educational courses while others found
that their new skills could position them for a wider range of job opportunities.
Others learned how to do their daily tasks more quickly and efficiently.
University of Georgia
•
Archway Project –
 A pilot project was initiated jointly with UGA Public Service and Outreach
to provide a county based resource person in community development.
The Extension housed resource is to be a connection to all the resources
of the University. The position is jointly funded by state and county.

Food Business Development - Developed a new food product
competition “Flavors of Georgia”. 150 product entries resulting in
semifinalist competition at Governor’s Ag Day at Capital. Exposed
Georgia firms and new Georgia products to buyers from around the word,
resulting in several new product contracts. Georgia Cooperative

Development Center - Provide business development resources to new,
emerging or expanding value-added agricultural business developments
composed of agricultural producer groups which may be organized as
cooperatives. Provide management and board of director training and
other business support to current cooperatives. Grant funded through

USDA - Rural Development.

Collaborators - The 11 Resource conservation and development councils
across Georgia.

Development of a Renewable Energy Potential Study for the State of
Georgia - A set of feasibility studies for Georgia in Bio-energy from
Agricultural products and by-products in support of the State Energy plan.
Grant funded through the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority.

Georgia Agribusiness Development Network Initiative - Development of
a state network for the creation, attraction, retention and expansion
(CARE) of Georgia agribusiness. Provide professional development to
selected Extension agents and other interested state professionals in
economic and agricultural entrepreneurship development. Completed a
week long “rolling tour and seminar” across Georgia.

Collaborators - Georgia Agribusiness Council, Ga. Dept. Of Economic
Development, Georgia Dept. Of Community Affairs,

USDA - Rural Development. Assessing Agricultural Disasters in Georgia
- Provide timely Economic analysis of natural and other Agricultural
disasters in Georgia and coordinate dissemination and collection of
relevant information across state agencies.

Community Leadership - Developing Community Profiles - Provide
Community profile package for support of community leadership
programs. Develop agents for delivery of “understanding your
community” section of community leadership programs in each Service
Delivery Region.

Collaborators - UGA Fanning Institute, Department of Community Affairs.
Development of Economic Vitality Indicators and Assessment of Land
Grant Role In Community and Economic Development - Collaboration
with the Georgia Rural Development Council, UGA Fanning Institute, and
Ga. Dept. of Community Affairs
4. Plans/New Directions for 2008
Clemson University
•
We are seeking to fill an on-site tenure track faculty position in Agribusiness (90%
extension appointment) and to fill a multi-county agent position. Construction on a
new state-of-the-art office building is slated to begin this fall. Plans are for CIECD
to eventually include 12 to 15 faculty and 30 graduate students, on-site.
A new hire is providing an evaluation of all of our leadership training programs. The
goal is to update and enhance curricula, better coordinate various training
programs, and evaluate outcomes.
We will be working with Ken Pigg (University of Missouri) and Ken Martin (Ohio
State University) in the evaluation area. Considering expanding efforts of the new
innovation center to provide training for "how to setup and operate a nonprofit
organization". This would require additional staffing in the legal area. Enhanced
work with SC Department of Agriculture in the following ways:
1) in cooperation with on campus faculty, evaluating their by SC produce
campaign;
2) Again with on campus faculty, participate in a future of agriculture in SC
effort;
3) investigate bringing the Market Maker Program to SC (a database evaluating
local consumer market for agricultural products).We are also hoping to start
the process of hiring a tenure track faculty member with a planning
background.
University of Florida
•
Plans and new directions that began in 2007 and will continue into 2008 include
disaster preparedness especially in the area of developing effective county
operation teams, and the preparation of citizens to reduce damage both in rural and
urban areas.
Community leadership development also continues to be an important program
direction across the state. Another new activity in the area of disaster preparedness
includes emergency child care protection in case of disaster. Sustainability is an
important direction that Florida Extension is following. Programs in this area
include activities related to growth management outreach, developing agricultural
enhancement boards and development of sustainability planning process
committees within communities.
In the area of extension management and sustainability some activities revolve
around developing mitigation strategy working groups.
Florida has also hired several new community development faculties in the past
year whose jobs will be to improve community development programming. One of
these faculty members has developed a series of on-line community development
in-service training programs for 2007 and 2008 designed for county and state
faculty training programs that include 12 stand alone training modules.
Modules to be offered for in-service in 2007 include:
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Defining and Understanding the Community
Understanding Communities and the Rural-Urban Interface
Understanding Community Development
Measuring Community Characteristics
Understanding Local Decision Making
Identifying Local Power Structures
Community Action and Civic Engagement
University of Arkansas
•
 Continue to support county agents in efforts to build local capacity and
expand economic opportunities.
 Continue educational programming on expanding entrepreneurial activity
and support systems (including electronic infrastructure) in Arkansas.
 Expand local government finance program to include fiscal analyses and
training for local officials and the development of an interactive data
base on revenue and expenditure information
 Expand APAC services to include farm based businesses.

Continue research and education on biofuels, bioenergy and wind
energy.
 Restart a LeadAR Endowment fund; create a ConnectAR for Natural
Resources program.
 Continue to build collaborative activities, both within and outside of the
organization.
Auburn University
•
 Create an ECDI Advisory Council.
 Develop a new training program for economic and community
development.
 Conduct quarterly meetings of AU units with roles in economic or
community development.
 Hold statewide/regional/local rural roundtables and forums.
 Conduct economic development training programs for County Extension
Coordinators.
 Hire a new ECDI professional staff member.
 Develop a model leadership program for rural communities; prepare a
guidebook with leadership development ideas and approaches. Develop
a leadership data base and network and conduct a statewide Community
Leadership Conference.
University of Tennessee
•
Sustainable Tennessee will formally be launched.
 Tennessee Rural Economic Development (TREND) website will be
completed (http://trend.ag.utk.edu ).
 A working group (TREND) is being established in the Department of
Agricultural Economics that will focus on rural economic development
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and partner with research, teaching and Extension faculty across the
Institute of Agriculture and the University.
Youth Development roundtables will be conducted in collaboration with
the UT Institute for Public Service.
Dean of Extension position will be filled.
Department Head of Agricultural Economics will be filled.
Endowed chair in agribusiness development will be filled.
Florida A&M University
•
Statement of Work The Entrepreneurial Rural Business Development Project
(ERBDP) plans to improve the capacity of existing clients to acquire, manage and
sustain substantial loans and grants. Overall Goal. ERBDP's goal is to establish a
Business Success Club (BSC) of eligible existing clients united around a single
purpose, to improve their capacity to acquire and manage substantial loans and
grants of $50,000.00 to $,500,000.00 from the USDA/RD and others entities.
Overall Objectives.
ERBDP objectives are to:
1) provide BSC members with education/training and intensive direct technical
assistance (coaching) in
a. credit worthiness,
b. financial literacy,
c. computer literacy and
d. essential knowledge and skills to grow their business;
2) provide ongoing evaluation,
3) conduct information dissemination,
4) conduct outreach; and
5) ensure USDA State Office involvement.
 Education/Training.
o Goal (1):
 To provide an estimated 30 BSC members with 8 hours each
of credit worthiness, financial literacy, and growing your
business education. Objective (s): Learning and conditions
change for participants. Expected Results: Skills improve in
budgeting, debt repayment, loan packaging, financial
management, marketing/ advertising, organization
management, communication, product/service development,
and cooperative purchasing and advertising.
o Goal (2)
 To provide an estimated 30 BSC members with 4 hours each
of computer literacy education. Objective (s): Learning and
conditions change for participants. Expected Results: Skills
improve in operating a computer, creating a document, saving
a document, printing a document, emailing a document, finding
the document again, and internet usage.
 Direct Technical Assistance (coaching).
o Goal #1: To provide an estimated 30 BSC members with eight, onehour monthly group coaching sessions and three, one-hour quarterly
group coaching sessions. These coaching sessions are also
identified in this proposal as the Monthly Progress Report Meetings
and Quarterly Progress Report Meetings. BSC members will be the
recipients of an additional of coaching, due to the inclusion of
coaching in the delivery of education/training in each core
competency area. Further, it is likely that ERBDP staff will assist BSC
Members in implementing tasks outside the classroom. Objective (s):
To reinforce learning and changed conditions of BSC members.
Expected Results: Skills improve in budgeting, debt repayment, loan
packaging, financial management, marketing/ advertising,
organization management, communication, product/service
development, and cooperative purchasing and advertising.
University of Kentucky
•
Efforts will continue to add Arts agents in Kentucky. To date the agents have been
placed in eastern Kentucky. Discussions are underway in several counties in the
west to bring additional agents on board. The third KY Entrepreneurial Coaches
class will start in early 2008 with the fourth class to kick off in late 2009.
Oklahoma State University
•
We are currently advertising for a tenure track position in economic development.
we hope to have this filled in the coming months. The County Training program has
been very successful. We anticipate this program will grow in the coming months.
Kentucky State University
•
 Coordinate entrepreneur days and workshops in selected counties related to
grant commitments
 Conduct business retention and expansion surveys within selected grant
project counties Expand e-commerce offerings
 Conduct Leadership Plenty training for international students on KSU
campus for a 2-year US AID program.
 Continue support for Franklin County energizing entrepreneurs
programming. Expand number of entrepreneur networks for special
audiences--women, Spanish speakers, etc
South Carolina State University
•
New Programs
A) Strategic Planning Workshops The strategic planning process will facilitate
an increased awareness by participants of the target communities involved
in the strategic planning process to collectively improve business practices
and sustainability of individuals and community. This process will instill
ownership and support for the creation of new businesses and jobs of which
the interaction and expert information shared on funding sources and
opportunities will serve as stimuli for additional economic development.
B) Board Basics Workshop This seminar provides an overview of what it takes
to establish a non-profit organization and the basic roles and responsibilities
of board members.
C) Community Visioning This workshop assists communities in developing a
vision for the future, setting priorities, and planning action steps to reach
their goals.
D) Starting a Nonprofit Organization (Workshop Series)This seminar teaches
about the steps to starting a new nonprofit organization. Individuals will learn
about state and federal filing requirements for establishing a new
organization
E) Beginner Investing Course We’ve put together a 4 - week program that takes
you step by step through the investment process. Each week, students are
introduced to new material that will help during the investment process.
When they’re done with all 4 weeks, they will have a very good idea of how
to go about investing. Of course this program doesn’t introduce them to
every single aspect of investing. But for students, this is the best place to
start.
F) Website Development (Architecture & Graphic Design) for Small Business
Your Home Page is the front door to your business on the Internet. It is an
extension in cyberspace that allows you to create virtual communities with
your customers, suppliers, employees, and friends. It is a world where
technology, at its best, becomes transparent and allows the meaning of your
message to be clearly perceived. Making web technology transparent is our
business. Removing the barriers of communication between you and your
virtual community is our mission. Working together, we can build your online
community by providing the ideas, tools, experience and know-how to get
the most from your website investment.
G) Individual Web Page Development Course This Course presents basic
concepts in the design of static, second-generation web pages. Mastery of
these concepts will provide the foundation needed to go into advanced
topics. Designing a web page is like climbing a mountain. You can't do it all
at once but have to do it in steps. This course will connect students to the
steps that will allow them create their own web pages.
H) The Rural Business League (RBL)The American Business League is a
network of business owners and executives who are dedicated to developing
their community. The American Business League is a membership
organization that establishes chapters in rural counties. The organization
provides a forum for business leaders to express their thoughts and ideas
about economic development and legislation. Furthermore, the organization
allows rural business owners and executives to mobilize and work for
legislation and economic development that will positively impact their
communities.
Additional Goals
 Securing increased funding levels to expand our personnel to cover the 1890
service areas we are currently deficient.
 Develop and implement Community Leadership Curriculum
 Instituting the use of technological resources in our programmatic areas.
 Partnering with the School of Business using students for our Youth
Entrepreneurship Courses,
 The Small Business Development Center for participation in workshops and
packaging loan requests and faculty for consultation with small business as
well as research possibilities and
 Identifying other sources of funds to help support our program.
 Develop Research Components to each Program we offer.
University of Georgia
•
Develop Georgia’s participation in the Market Maket project (web based system to
connect consumers and producers as well as conduct interactive market research)
as well as several new direct food producer and processor initiatives.
Examples of emerging new food business development opportunities - Emory
University and hospitals announced goal of 75% of food used to be sourced
through local food suppliers.
Continue special initiatives in developing Georgia’s Agricultural and Nature Based
tourism businesses; in Food business development through a needs assessment of
Georgia food businesses and workshops on direct meat processing and retailing
and other “starting new food business” topics ; in coordination of conservation
policy programs and participation through facilitation of the Georgia Conservation
Policy Roundtable, formed from 11 state and federal agencies working in the area.
Continue to provide on-going resources, educational programming and information
for new, emerging and expanding Georgia food and fiber businesses and Economic
development information for public and private Georgia decision makers through
products such as the Web based interactive Georgia Statistics Systems and annual
reports such as the Farm gate Value Report, Georgia County Guide and Passport
to Georgia. Archway project - New Extension professional in 2 Georgia counties.
Community development programming jointly with UGA Public Service and
Outreach.
5. Collaborative Activities and Funding Sources
Clemson University
•
Funding: US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development (State Office)US
Department of Commerce, Economic Development Authority City of Clinton, South
Carolina City of Gaffney, South Carolina City of Saluda, South Carolina Sisters of
Charity Americore Collaborators: Leadership South Carolina Fine Arts Cultural
Enrichment Palmetto Development Group SC Center for Grassroots & Nonprofit
Leadership SC Institute on Poverty & Deprivation SC Women's Business Center
Mississippi State University
•
The CRD programming unit has developed and strengthened several partnerships
over the past year. A significant collaboration has been formed with the Delta
Health Alliance as a part of the Delta Health Initiative. This collaboration has
resulted in an approximately $500,000 contract to strengthen community support of
healthcare providers in the Delta and to provide strategic plan development and
management technical assistance to these providers.
Second, as a result of the renewed success of the public water system assistance
flagship programs (Board Management Training and Peer Review), the Mississippi
Department of Health Division of Public Water Supply is in the process of awarding
a $1,000,000 water system operator training coordination and re-certification
incentive contract to the program Replacing vacant positions and filling new ones
have enabled the members of the programming unit to renew strategic for several
areas, including:
Leadership – Certifying a professional staff member in the Leadership Plenty
training curriculum will enable this subject matter area to be expanded beyond its
present scope. It is anticipated that full programs will begin in 3 communities in the
coming year. Also, conversations have begun with the FCS programming area to
determine the feasibility of greater interactivity between FCS-based area leadership
agents and CRD-based leadership programming staff. Health and Communities –
increased focus by faculty and professional staff alike will be given to the unit’s
Health Connect program, including participation in the Delta Health Initiative and reestablishing a partnership with the Mississippi Office of Rural Health.
Economic and Community Analysis – Increased emphasis has been placed on this
focus area by all faculty from several different fronts. An online database which
provides analysis of a community’s retail trade position has been developed, as
well as a decision making tool for economic developers to determine the impacts of
financial and non-financial incentives being offered in community industrial
recruitment situations.
Public Infrastructure – After tremendous staff turnover, the Rural Public Water
System Assistance programs are back on track and achieving great success. In
addition to the base Water Board Management Training and Peer Review
Programs that the unit has coordinated over the past several years, the unit has
also assumed coordination of the Mississippi Department of Health Small Rural
Water System Operator Recertification Incentive Program (see Collaborative
Activities and Funding Sources).Community Support Dr. Al Myles, along with other
CRD faculty, evaluated more than 50 requests from the 4-H Community Pride grant
program funded by the Chevron-Texaco Company. The grant proposals seek to
develop or improve Mississippi communities. Ming unit. Third, the new Director of
the Mississippi Office of Rural Health has renewed the partnership to implement the
Health Connect program with a $20,000 contract. This contract is unusual in that it
specifies the implementation of the program in a hospital that is managed by one of
the major tertiary care organizations in the state. Finally, CRD faculty have been
involved in an approximately $300,000 National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration grant to examine the economic and environmental effects of natural
disasters on communities in the Gulf of Mexico region. CRD faculty have also been
involved in the leadership of several professional and sector promotion
organizations over the course of the year. Not only have faculty assumed
leadership positions in the Mississippi Association of County Agricultural Agents,
the Rho Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, and the National Association of Community
Development Extension Professionals, but they have also been instrumental in
initiating or sustaining new state or regional organizations such as the Miss-Lou
Rural Tourism Association, the Mississippi Association of Agritourism Enterprises,
the Mississippi Rural Health Association.
University of Florida
•
Many faculties are working in collaborative and multi-state programs related to
community development. Examples include multi-state programs related to
promoting active citizens to shape sustainable development, and developing
collaborative partners for community resource planning and development, Funding
sources include federal, state and county dollars as well as grants.
Some DSR grants now in effect include funding to develop a strategy for the landgrant system to address rural development research, extension and policy in the
South, business retention and expansion program grant for Levy County, and a
multi-state grant to enhance SRDC’s accountability by developing an evaluation
and reporting system.
Other grants included a USDA-CSREES-NRI rural development grant, a grant to
establish four regional smart growth networks and a several grants related to
sustainable development and planning for business and tourism success.
University of Arkansas
•
 Delta Geographic Concentration Initiative (funded by the Southern Rural
Development Center with the Walton Family Foundation)
 ConnectAR for Young Farmers and Ranchers (funded by the Arkansas
Farm Bureau)
 APAC Agri Project (funded by the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation)
 Breakthrough Solutions (nineteen Vision Works partner organizations and
funding from thirteen program sponsors)
 Connected Communities (funded by a grant from the Arkansas Community
Foundation).
 Rural Development Roundtables (funded by the Southern Rural
Development Center with the Kellogg Foundation)
 eXtension Entrepreneurship Community of Practice (funded by the National
eXtension Team)
 Income Tax School (collaboration with IRS, Social Security, and State of
Arkansas; funding via fee-for-service)
 Entre-What? Youth Entrepreneurship (partial funding by Bank of America)
 Other funding sources include the U.S. Department of Defense (partial
funding for APAC), the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture (partial
funding for the Public Policy Center), LeadAR Alumni (raised funding for
LeadAR programming), and fee-for-service programming.
Auburn University
•
ECDI engages in numerous collaborative activities through the I-85 Corridor
Alliance, the Alabama Communities of Excellence Program, and the Governor’s
Black Belt Action Commission, among others.
University of Tennessee
•
The Governor’s 2007-08 budgets provided $40.4 million for the Tennessee Biofuels
Initiative. Funds will be used to construct a 5 million gallon-per-year pilot plant,
develop and provide Extension education programs on switch grass, and incentive
payments for farmers to grow switch grass. In addition, DOE has awarded $125
million to UT and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for a Bioenergy Science
Center. The grant is one of three in the nation. The Center will study how to extract
cellulose more efficiently from plant such as switch grass and poplar trees. Several
partner institutions and individual researchers are involved in the Center.
 Opportunities to collaborate with USDA-Rural Development’s Tennessee
office are being explored.
 Future opportunities for additional collaboration are anticipated with UT’s
Institute for Public Service.
 The Department of Agricultural Economics continued to seek support for the
Tennessee Natural Resource Leadership Institute.
 The State Rural Development committee represents long-standing
collaboration among federal, state and regional member agencies. The
State Rural Development Committee continues to provide a forum for
communication and collaboration among member agencies and to
recognize outstanding local accomplishments with its annual award
program.
Florida A&M University
•
A cooperative agreement exists between Florida A&M University (FAMU) and the
USDA/RD/RBS to implement the 1890 Land-Grant Institutions Rural
Entrepreneurial Outreach and Development Initiative (REOD)through FAMU's
Cooperative Extension and Outreach Program. Funding sources are Rural
Business Cooperative-Services and FAMU's Cooperative Extension and Outreach
Program.
University of Kentucky
•
The initiation of the Market maker program has been a showcase of intra- and
interstate collaboration. Four state entities, the Ky Department of Agriculture, the
Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy, Allied Food Marketers, Inc., and the UK
College of Agriculture cooperated to fund and develop KY Market maker.
Representatives of these agencies met bi-weekly for several months before and
after the February "go-live" date to facilitate development of the site.
Kentucky representative also participated on the national advisory board with staff
from Illinois and the other Market maker states to develop policies and procedures
to guide further development of national Market maker.
The Value-Added conference in June was the site of the rollout of two new Market
maker features, a National Portal and a Buy-Sell Forum.
Oklahoma State University
•
We work with several state agencies including the Health Department and the
Department of Commerce. Both have provided grant dollars.
The state legislature provides substantial funding for the County Training Program.
Kentucky State University
•
Two grant funded projects:
(1) Kentucky USDA Rural Development RBEG (Rural Business Enterprise Grant)
(2) USDA Rural Business Services - 1890's Entrepreneurial Outreach &
Development Initiative
South Carolina State University
•
Source of Funds – Smith Lever & USDA Rural Business Service List of Partners
Organizations
1. Sumter Empowerment Zone
2. Marlboro County CDC
3. SCSU Small business Development Center
4. SCSU College of Business & Applied Professional Sciences
5. United States Department of Agriculture
6. Southern Rural Development Center Schools
1. Bethune-Bowman High School, Bowman , SC
2. Burke High School, Charleston, SC
3. Calhoun County High School, St. Matthews, SC
4. Estill High School, Estill, SC
5. Hunter-Kinard-Tyler, Norway, SC
6. Jasper County High School,
7. Marlboro County High School, Bennettsville, SC
8. Mullins High School,
9. North High School, North, SC
10. Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, Orangeburg, SC
11. Sumter High School, Sumter, SC
12. Woodland High School, St. George, SC.
University of Georgia
•
All activities reported in 3 are collaborative with state, federal or private agencies
and in most cases include special grant or contract funding.
6. Additional Information
University of Florida
•
Florida is presently facing a budget crisis as the state legislature looks for ways to
deal with the economic devolution passed down from the federal level. This is turn
is impacting county government.
Counties are being forced to prioritize services based on reduced economic
resources from the state level.
Programs developed by extension can be used to improve decision making
throughout this process.
Florida is also a hurricane state and extension provides much of the information
needed for agricultural preparedness. In a state with a multi-billion dollar impact,
agriculture and disaster awareness must play an important role in community
development. Expanding on disaster preparedness is therefore a crucial area of
community development that will continue to grow.
Auburn University
•
Contact Information for AU member of the Southern Region Program Leadership
Network, Community Development Committee: Joe Sumners, Ph.D. Director
Economic and Community Development Institute 214 Extension Hall Auburn
University, AL 36849334-844-4704; Fax 334-8444709sumneja@auburn.eduwww.auburn.edu/ecdi
Oklahoma State University
•
None to add.
Kentucky State University
•
Working with the 1890 Regional Community Development Program Team, which is
implementing a 4-year plan that focuses on personal asset management, economic
development, leadership development, and workforce development. Member of the
CoP of the eXtension team: Entrepreneurs and their Communities
South Carolina State University
•
The Adult Leadership and Community Development Department help restore lives
by integrating its community development programs that are designed to enable
independence and self-sufficiency. These grassroots programs focus on three key
areas: economic development, community projects, and capacity building. ALCD
community development programs are what make the critical difference between
offering a handout and offering a helping hand.
In order to rebuild communities and restore lives, families must have a chance to
break the cycle of poverty and dependence on outside assistance. The goals of
ALCD community development initiatives are sustainability, independence, and
self-sufficiency, all of which are difficult to accomplish without financial stability.
ALCD offers creative economic development programs that give families a chance
to receive training, earn income, and launch new small businesses.
One of ALCD planned curriculum developments is based on a game that is
common throughout Central Asia in which people contribute money into a collection
and each month someone "wins" the funds. ALCD uses this concept of Chornya
Kassa, which translated figuratively means "money for a rainy day," to help people
start new businesses.
Twelve families contribute money each month to a fund and ALCD matches the
amount and provides business and finance lessons at monthly meetings. Using
these funds, one family is able to launch a new business enterprise each month
with the support of community members and technical assistance from ALCD.
Families can expand agricultural production, purchase livestock, start small retail
ventures, and initiate other creative enterprises within their community. ALCD also
wants to offer a variety of vocational training and employment opportunities that
help families reestablish livelihoods and earn income to support their families.
These projects are designed to build local capacity whenever possible. ALCD will
incorporate capacity-building programs that promote diverse participation, local
responsibility, and skill development. Building local capacity is accomplished by
educating individual beneficiaries and through mentoring local organizations and
institutions to increase their ability to effectively work within their community.
ALCD’s ultimate goal is that residents will become independent, self-sufficient, and
equipped to solve their own family and community issues. Individual Beneficiaries
ALCD will incorporate beneficiary training in virtually all of its projects in order to
provide long-term impact in the community. Classes will be offered in both "on-thejob" and workshop formats. They are designed to offer training in life skills and to
build the ability of families to function in a healthy and sustainable environment.
Examples of training topics include: skills and vocational training; resource
management and conservation; budgeting and small business training; conflict
resolution.
ALCD will also introduce appropriate technologies through pilot projects,
demonstration activities, and other training opportunities.
ALCD will facilitate the partnership of experts and academia with beneficiaries to
encourage the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and practical application
experiences. Community-Based Organizations
ALCD enables residents to establish and operate community-based organizations
(CBOs) that address various civic and social issues. Every CBO determines its own
mission and emphasis. CBOs will be created for business training, financial credits,
vocational workshop trades, and community improvement projects. ALCD role is
that of a mentor and trainer.
ALCD staff work alongside CBOs, enabling them to develop their own mission,
operational plan, organizational structure, and to officially register the CBO with the
State of South Carolina. In conjunction with these activities,
ALCD will offer training in basic organizational skills, including leadership, strategic
planning, financial management, communication, grant writing, report writing, public
relations, and ethics and accountability. Civil Societies In addition to CBOs,
ALCD will work with local businesses, governments, and other institutions to
promote voluntary action and creative alliances that address community needs. By
building capacity at multiple levels, residents can work together and transform
communities once devastated by conflict or disaster into independent, flourishing,
civil societies.
University of Georgia
•
The UGA Archway project is a return to providing field staff to the CRD program at
UGA. However, the emphasis to date has been on special county programs and in
bringing resources from colleges and or stand alone public service and outreach
units outside Extension. Even with additional resources secured in 2007, only 2 of
Georgia’s 159 counties will be served.
---ADDENDUM--West Virginia – Report for 06/07 – Submitted by Jenny Fertig
WVSU completed year 5 of its re-development of its extension programs. CED
dedicated staff has now grown to eleven with a specialist position developed and fifteen
counties now being served.
New partnerships and funding support remain priority. A notable new partner is an
affiliation with the WV Development office that is co-funding a CED agent who is
implementing the national Mainstreet development model; this has proven successful
and has resulted in a second position under development. Funding for community
efforts by CED agents resulted in over $350,000 for the re-development of a flooded
town, which has now been leveraged to over $1 million for this pilot project. CED
specific projects have also been funded through a variety of sources including four new
grants totaling almost $600,000 for small business development.
Programmatic efforts continue in the areas of small business development, introducing
two new statewide initiatives; (1) the Recipe Challenge statewide competition with a
$10,000 prize-package, co-sponsored with the WV Dept. of Ag successfully launched a
new food entrepreneur, who is now distributed in 5 retail outlets. (2) Opening Soon, Inc.,
6 county pilot business start-up project targeting DHHR clients has resulted in 15 small
businesses licensed and operational from the initial two cohorts.
Research and curricula development focused on sustainable tourism development and
Dept of Education funding was utilized to develop a partnership with Sligo Institute
(Ireland) and Charles University (Prague) with study tours and the first phase of a new
small business development project.