I just released a new publication on steps communities can take to prepare for an inclusive community assessment! Community assessments are common first steps in economic and community development efforts. It is important to make sure that communities include diverse perspectives to help inform and gain support for those efforts.
Read more at: http://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/Preparing-for-an-Inclusive-Community-Assessment-p/eag-049.htm
Using data to guide local economic development efforts is essential to remaining competitive in a quickly evolving economy. Examining data can help leaders identify changes, new opportunities, and emerging issues and make decisions that reflect the entire community rather than merely the perception of a vocal or influential group. As we continue to get more and more sources and detailed data, often questions may turn to how to convert data into actionable goals. Check out this new article by Drs. Craig Carpenter and Rebekka Dudensing to learn about various conversion strategies and the importance of how the goals are written themselves.
http://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/Translating-Data-Survey-Results-into-SMART-Goals-p/eag-047.htm
Getting the community involved in local and regional development efforts is fundamental to the successful creation and implementation of development plans. Community involvement not only improves community and economic development outcomes by utilizing local knowledge and networks, but can also grow community cohesion and vitality, as members feel more invested in the place that they live. Residents are more likely to embrace development proposals when invited to contribute their opinions and shape efforts to reflect their challenges and needs. Furthermore, shaping the efforts to reflect the challenges and needs of community members can only improve those efforts. Similarly, community members are more likely to be invested, and, in turn, more willing to invest the time to implement the proposals.
Read more in a new publication out by Dr. Rebekka Dudensing and me: http://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/Getting-Community-Involved-in-Local-Development-p/eag-045.htm
Communities often create outstanding economic and business development strategies only to lose momentum after the planning stage. In fact, many good plans end up sitting on a shelf because they are never implemented. How can your community avoid this problem? Read more in a new publication out by Dr. Rebekka Dudensing and me: http://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/Implementing-Community-Goals-Successfully-p/eag-044.htm
Community development and entrepreneurial support activities are becoming increasingly common in Texas and around the country. For example, CDI (Community Development Institute) Texas 2017 will take place March 6-9, 2017. CDI Texas 2017 is presented by Lone Star College in The Woodlands.
From their flyer, “CDI is a national training offered in multiple locations and endorsed by the Community Development Council (CDC). CDC is a nonprofit organization founded to promote the advancement of community development professionals through the accreditation of educational programs, professional certifications, and the development of community volunteer leaders. The program consists of three, four-day training sessions which can be completed in subsequent years at the same site location or by fast tracking to multiple sites within the CDI network in a single year. CDI training is offered at the following locations: CDI Central, CDI Midwest, CDI Northwest and CDI Texas.”
The curriculum is designed to have offerings for most levels of experience with community development and includes three different years in their curriculum.
See the flyer below for more information:
http://www.lonestar.edu/departments/cdi/CDI_Texas_2017.pdf