2015-16 CENTER FOR COMMUNITY
& ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Annual Report
Message from the Director This past year has been a rewarding journey for UCA’s Center for Community and Economic Development. We’ve reached a record number of individuals and communities through our programming, which has included the annual Community Development Institute, regional community and economic development training events, and one-on-one assistance to several Arkansas communities. This increase in our scope would not have been possible without funding and support from many partner organizations. Thank you to those individuals and organizations that helped make this work possible! The work that each of us is doing to improve the quality of life in Arkansas communities is hard, but important. I hope you enjoy learning more about our work by reading through our annual report, and I look forward to the next year as we continue to work alongside your organization to strengthen Arkansas communities and support the profession of community and economic development! – Amy Whitehead 1
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Statistics OVER 523 people trained by the Center
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$75,000
RAISED
CITIES RECEIVED
DIRECT
AS SISTANCE
14 technical assistance Articles featuring the Center
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community leaders received
13
training events
hosted by the Center
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ABOUT THE CENTER MISSION To have a positive impact on communities by: Equipping leaders with economic tools and resources, building consensus to achieve community goals, and bringing UCA resources and communities together.
VISION We envision communities with robust economies, a flourishing quality of life, and diverse and engaged citizen leaders.
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TRAINING Through grant funding from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, the Center hosted four regional economic development boot camps for community leaders in the state. The boot camps addressed issues related to the basics of community and economic development, community marketing, the role of the local official in economic development, as well as entrepreneurship support strategies.
Western Arkansas Economic Development Boot Camp • Fort Smith, AR • Attended by over 40 community leaders from 17 different communities • Partners: Western Arkansas Planning and Development District, Fort Smith Regional Alliance, and Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority 6
Saving Your Small Town: Homegrown Community and Economic Development • Batesville, AR • Attended by over 40 individuals from multiple cities in and around Independence County • Partners: Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, White River Planning and Development District, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Southwest Arkansas Economic Development Boot Camp • Magnolia, AR • Over 55 elected officials and city leaders from over 39 different rural communities attended the event • Partners: Magnolia Economic Development Corporation, Southwest Arkansas Planning and Development District, and the Golden Triangle Economic Development Council
Northwest Arkansas Economic Development Boot Camp • Bentonville, AR • Attended by over 40 individuals representing 21 communities • Partners: Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District and Arkansas Economic Developers
Other Training Events Understanding the Retail Marketing Environment in Clinton In partnership with the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce, the Center provided in-depth information to Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce members regarding the Clinton retail marketing environment. The session highlighted the retail leakage trends and opportunities in the area, as well as strategies to make the most out of a limited budget. 7
175 Community Leaders
& Elected Officials Representing Over
seventy-seven
Different Communities throughout Arkansas
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Conway Small Business Institute The UCA Division of Outreach and Community Engagement partnered with the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce to present the Conway Small Business Institute (CSBI). This four part series of workshops was designed to help small business owners thrive. Each session focused on a different organizational topic: marketing, minority businesses, human resources, and finance. Over 70 small business owners in Conway and the surrounding area attended CSBI.
Technical Assistance for Mayors Led by UCA’s Division of Outreach, the statewide Technical Assistance for Mayors (TAM) program was designed to educate rural Arkansas mayors about the various state and federal resources that are available to help them improve the overall welfare of their communities. The Center’s grant funds and staff were leveraged for this project to bring in additional funding and coordinate the program’s agenda. Nearly 100 community leaders attended these events held in Blytheville, Forrest City, Pine Bluff, and Monticello.
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE CDI 2016 marked the 30th annual institute. This was an exciting milestone for the program, and was celebrated through a special luncheon, alumni testimonial booklet, and commemorative video. Governor Asa Hutchinson kicked off the opening session of CDI and declared the week of August 1-5, 2016 to be Community Development Week in Arkansas. Other highlights of this year’s institute included tours, simulations, case studies, individual assessments, and top-notch speakers from across the country. The Advanced Year Class conducted an in-depth assessment of Lonoke, Arkansas, which serves as the beginning of a ten-month planning process provided in partnership with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Office. Ivy Owen was recognized as the Bill Miller Award recipient, and the Newport Economic Development Commission was awarded the Friend of Community Development Award. Over 250 people participated in some part of the week. Visit uca.edu/cdi or our social media platforms to see pictures, videos, and other special items shared during the 30th annual institute. 10
Thank you to our Sponsors: Arkansas Community Development Society Arkansas Economic Developers AT&T Chaffee Crossing City of Maumelle Conway Advertising & Promotion Conway Development Corporation Crafton Tull Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas Entergy Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis Newport Economic Development Commission
Thank you to our Supporters: AEP SWEPCO Arkansas Economic Development Commission Central Arkansas Planning and Development District Department of Community Services and Nonprofit Support Mississippi Economic Development Council Southwest Planning and Development District Tate County Economic Development Commission (MS) University of Central Arkansas’ Division of Outreach and Community Engagement Winrock International Western Arkansas Planning and Development District 11
NEW CDI ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS The CDI Advisory Board was established in 2002 to assist UCA with development of CDI curriculum, marketing and promotion, resource development, and external stakeholder support. We are proud to announce that four new board members were added during 2015-2016:
Samantha Evans Samantha is the Program Officer at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. She is a 2013 graduate of CDI.
Cullen Curole Cullen is the Economic Development Administrator at the South Central Planning & Development Commission in Louisiana. He is a 2010 graduate of CDI.
Teresa Cheeks Wilson Teresa is a Senior Community Development Specialist at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Memphis branch. She is a 2013 graduate of CDI.
Scott Grummer Scott is a City Planner for the City of Conway. He is a 2010 graduate of CDI. Thank you to all CDI Advisory Board members for their outstanding service! The complete list of board members can be found at www.uca.edu/cdi/advisory-board 12
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce The Center worked with the Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce to develop a Chamber Assessment Survey for its membership. The purpose of this survey was to better understand the needs of local businesses, their perception of the local business environment, and ways the chamber could better serve its membership. Based on an analysis of the data, the Center provided strategic recommendations to the Chamber on ways to increase its value and services to its membership.
Community Development Kick Start Over the past year, the Center has worked in Heber Springs, AR on an initiative known as Kick Start Heber Springs. This initiative began with the CDI 2015 Advanced Year class, and concluded with the unveiling of a strategic action plan in May 2016. This strategic document is meant to carry Heber Springs 13
through economic and community development improvements over the next five to ten years. The Kick Start Heber Springs process included a community assessment and visioning as well as community priority identification and goal setting. Action teams were formed to focus on the following priority areas identified by the community: Branding and Marketing, Education and Workforce, Economic Development, Funding and Finance, Quality of Life and Place, and Tourism. This initiative was offered to the community of Heber Springs in partnership with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Breakthrough Solutions Program, directed by Dr. Mark Peterson.
Economic Development Committee Organizational Planning Session The Center facilitated a one day strategic planning retreat in Barling, AR with the Barling Economic Development Committee. As a result of this planning session, several strategic recommendations were made to the committee to assist them with their future organization and development.
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IMPACT Independence County The Center consulted with the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce on a regional strategic planning effort titled IMPACT Independence County. The Center assisted the IMPACT Independence County initiative through coaching and guidance on the planning process, a community presentation on survey results, facilitation of initial committee meetings, committee co-chair training, and assistance with preparing the strategic planning document.
SWOT Analysis and First Impressions Tour The Center began working with Crossett, AR by conducting a SWOT analysis with key community leaders and a tour of the community. After gaining a better understanding of the community and its needs, it was identified that Crossett would benefit from participating in a First Impressions Tour (FIT) assessment. FIT pinpointed community strengths, opportunities, and potential next steps by assessing the city’s target audiences, online, physical, social, and economic infrastructures. These findings were presented to the Chamber board.
Park Hill Business Survey and Student Project The Center worked with the Park Hill Business and Merchants Association and the City of North Little Rock to conduct a business outreach survey. The purpose of the survey was to gather information and feedback from the businesses located in the Park Hill business district so that local leaders can better support development of the area. This survey also supported data collection efforts for the Jump Start program that Park Hill initiated through Metroplan. The Center also connected the Park Hill Business and Merchants Association with UCA students through the Plus Challenge, a Design Thinkathon in which students and community leaders get experience with the design thinking process by tackling a real challenge in their community to create meaningful solutions. 15
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OTHER PROJECTS The Center continued its partnership with Arkansas Municipal League’s City & Town magazine. Center staff contribute monthly articles concentrated on community and economic development in Arkansas. Amy Whitehead and Josh Markham co-authored an article entitled “Arkansas Communities Focus on Action, Reap Results” that was featured in the May issue of Bridges, a national magazine published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Staff members gave several presentations throughout the year, including: • Overview of WRF Grant Initiative presented to the Fort Smith Regional Alliance • Developing Your Community Vision at Houseaboutit’s Small City Leadership Economic Empowerment Summit • Community and Neighborhood Development at Mid-South Basic Course • Generating Awareness on a Dime at The Summit presented by the DHS’s
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Division of Community Services and Nonprofit Support • The Power of Planned, Regional Development at the Uncommon Communities program • Update on Kick Start Heber Springs at the Heber Springs noon rotary • Resources for Rural Communities at the Rural Development Conference
Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation UCA and the Center would like to thank the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation for its continued support through a grant for $84,000. This grant is intended to support the Center’s efforts to build the capacity of municipal and non-profit leaders through regional trainings and place-based technical assistance through 2018. If you would like to keep up with our grant progress or request assistance under the grant, please visit www.uca.edu/cced and our social media platforms.
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STAFF HIGHLIGHTS Amy Whitehead • Served on UCA’s Higher Learning Commission self-study team • Appointed to Metroplan’s Regional Planning Advisory Council • Appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ Community Development Advisory Council • Served on search committee for UCA’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Josh Markham • Served as Adjunct Faculty Member, UCA English Department and UCA Geography Department • Elected to UCA Faculty Senate • Awarded New Professional Award by the Arkansas Community Development Society • Achieved proctor status to deliver the Professional Community and Economic Developer certification exam
Shelby Fiegel • Elected Vice President of Technology for the Arkansas Community Development Society • Completed CDI Year 2 at CDI Texas in March 2016 • Graduated from CDI at CDI Central in August 2016 • Re-elected to UCA Staff Senate
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Ella Selfridge • Graduate Assistant for the Center • Graduated with her Master of Science in School Psychology at UCA • Ended two year assistantship in May 2016
Sara Roberts • Started Graduate Assistantship for the Center on May 1, 2016 • Pursuing her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling at UCA
Two interns also served on the Center’s team throughout the 2015-2016 year— Katelyn Wilkins and Corey Parks.
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Contact Us 501.450.3460 cced@uca.edu uca.edu/cced