Community
Assistance
The Economic & Community Development Institute provides direct outreach assistance
to Alabama communities (especially rural and economically depressed areas
of the state) in:
- Strategic planning for community and economic development,
- Building and strengthening economic development organizations, and
- Building and developing community capacity (community leadership and
citizen participation)
These projects are administered through cooperation established with
Auburn University partners as well as numerous external partners throughout
Alabama.
Recent and On-going Projects
- Appalachian Regional Commission Technical Assistance for Distressed
Counties Project
The purpose of the project is to assist two economically distressed
ARC communities in Alabama (Hale and Pickens counties). Assistance
includes developing a strategic economic development plan for each
community, preparing two grant proposals on behalf of communities
to help support a project aligned with one of ARC's five strategic
goal areas and helping the communities establish effective mentoring
relationships with successful ARC communities.
For information contact:
Dr. Joe Sumners
334-844-4704
sumneja@auburn.edu
- HUD Community Development Work-Study Project
The HUD Community Development Work Study grant provides $150,000
to AU to support 5 Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master
of Community Planning (MCP) graduate students. The grant will support
the students' academic program and part-time work assignments with
public agencies in the Auburn area.
AU Partners: Cal Clark (MPA director) and Sharon Gaber (associate
dean, College of Architecture, Design, and Construction)
For information contact:
Mr. Mike Easterwood
334-844-5394
easterm@auburn.edu
- Gadsden Commercial Development Project
The purpose of the project was to conduct an analysis of the city's
current economic development organizations and functions (especially
regarding commercial development). EDI made recommendations for structuring
the commercial development function. EDI is facilitating a strategic
planning process for the new Gadsden Commercial Development Authority.
For information contact:
Dr. Joe Sumners
334-844-4704
sumneja@auburn.edu
- HUD Community Outreach Partnership Center (COPC) Project
The purpose of this three-year project was to deliver targeted outreach
assistance to the Uniontown community in West Alabama. It established
a model for delivering and array of outreach services in a coordinated
manner to rural areas in the state.
Project activities include:
- AU Graduate Student Mentoring/Tutoring Project for R.C. Hatch
High School. Two AU graduate students working 10 hours per week
tutoring students and assisting teachers. (Partner: AU Student Affairs
Office).
- Community Leadership Development Program. Leadership needs
assessment and training program for at least 30 adult leaders and
15 youth leaders. (Partner: Alabama Cooperative Extension System).
- Civic Infrastructure Development: Municipal Personnel and Budgeting
Systems for Uniontown. (Partner: AU Center for Governmental Services).
- Uniontown Small Business Assistance. One-to-one assistance
and small group workshops for existing businesses and local residents
in preparing business plans, securing loans, and other business services.
(Partner: Tuskegee University: Rural Business and Economic Development
Program)
- Uniontown Economic Development Profile. The profile includes
a survey and analysis of the community’s economy, identification of
best practices, a labor force assessment, and identification of investment
and expansion opportunities (Partner: University of Alabama, Center
for Economic Development).
- Landscaping and Security Lighting Plans/Sidewalk Network Plans.
(Partner: Design Corps, Inc, a non-profit organization created to
provide architectural, planning, and design services to communities.)
AU Partners: Student Affairs, Center for Governmental Services, Alabama
Cooperative Extension System
External Partners: Tuskegee University, University of Alabama, Design
Corps, Inc
For information contact:
Dr. Joe Sumners
334-844-4704
sumneja@auburn.edu
- Eufaula Strategic Planning for a Sustainable Community
This was a pilot project for Audubon International (based in Albany,
New York) in utilizing the concept of sustainability in a community
strategic planning process. In coordination with Audubon International,
Auburn University assisted the City of Eufaula in developing a strategic
plan for their community. CGS assisted the city in the areas of Quality
of Government and Land Use Planning. Economic Development issues were
the responsibility of EDI and ATAC (industrial, commercial/retail
development, technology) and ACES (tourism and natural resources).
The School of Architecture assisted the city in the area of Quality
of Life, which includes parks and recreation, landscape and sign ordinances.
The engineering firm of Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood assisted the city
in the area of Infrastructure. Joe Sumners served as project coordinator
for the entire project and for an Auburn University project team comprised
of EDI, the Center for Governmental Services, the Alabama Cooperative
Extension System, the Auburn Technical Assistance Center, and the
College of Architecture. External members of the project team were
Audubon International and Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood.
AU Partners: Center for Governmental Services (Jim Seroka), Alabama
Cooperative Extension System (Tom Chestnut), Auburn Technical Assistance
Center (Clint LeNoir), and the School of Architecture (Michael Robinson)
External Partners: Audubon International (Ron Dodson, President and
CEO), Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood (Linda Champion)
EDI Lead: Joe Sumners
For information contact:
Dr. Joe Sumners
334-844-4704
sumneja@auburn.edu
- Kettering Foundation Project
The purpose of the project is to conduct a civil economics research
project focusing on community development efforts in Uniontown, Alabama.
Specifically, EDI is addressing two broad questions as they relate
to Uniontown: 1) Can civil society be strengthened? 2) What impact
does community building have on the economy?
AU Partners: Christa Slaton (Political Science), Robert Montjoy and
Royrickers Cook (Office of the Vice-President for Outreach)
External Partners: Kettering Foundation
For information contact:
Mrs. Amelia Hall Stehouwer
334-844-4704
hallame@auburn.edu
- Shelby County Economic Development Plan
EDI developed the economic development chapter of the Shelby County
Comprehensive Plan.
External Partners: Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham
For information contact:
Dr. Joe Sumners
334-844-4704
sumneja@auburn.edu
Archived
Community Assistance Projects
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