Who is ECDI?

The Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI) is Auburn University's outreach unit for economic and community development. The Economic Development Institute (EDI) was created in 1988.

On May 1, 2006, Auburn University and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) agreed to combine forces and resources into a single comprehensive economic and community development program, creating the AU/ACES Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI).

For many years, the AU Economic Development Institute (EDI) and the ACES Community and Resource Development program have shared common goals and objectives, such as leadership development training, developing community capacity, strategic planning for community and economic development, and building and strengthening economic development organizations throughout the state of Alabama. These two entities have partnered on many projects and activities, including the Alabama Intensive Economic Development Training Course. The intent in creating ECDI is to best utilize AU and ACES resources and to better serve the people of Alabama.

ECDI has established itself as one of Alabama's leading organizations for economic development education and professional development, research, and community assistance. With a small core staff, ECDI fosters partnerships within and outside the University as it works to improve community economic development policies and practices throughout Alabama.

Who does ECDI serve?

• Economic Development Professionals and Organizations in Alabama, including:
  • Local, Regional, and State Economic Development Organizations
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • University-based Economic Development Organizations
  • National- and state-level economic development organizations and agencies
  
  
• Alabama Communities, especially small and medium-sized rural and economically distressed areas.
  
  

ECDI Programs and Services

1. Connections and Communication
   • ECDI attempts to maintain effective connections and communication among the many diverse economic development actors in Alabama (including those within Auburn University). A primary role of ECDI is to facilitate coordination and information sharing among the State's economic development professionals and practitioners. Check out Alabama's most comprehensive site for Economic Development Links.
   
   
2. Education and Professional Development
   • ECDI provides educational opportunities for Alabama's economic development community, including:
     • Alabama Intensive Economic Development Training Course
     • Economic Development Workshops and Short-Courses
     • Graduate Minor in Economic Development
   
   
3. Research
   • ECDI conducts research related to Alabama economic development policy and practice, specializing in rural community and economic development.
   
   
4. Community Assistance
   • ECDI provides direct outreach assistance to Alabama communities in:
     • Leadership: building and developing community capacity,
     • Planning: strategic planning for community and economic development, and
     • Organization: building and strengthening economic development organization.