Two very different events have occurred since August that have redefined the environment in which UAEDI will work during this academic year and beyond. The first was the August 24 inaugural event formally launching the Crossroads Coalition (CRC) with details to follow. The second was Hurricane Katrina, which I predict will be a defining moment in U.S. history and economic development, with no further comment offered. Given these parameters, we are making progress on a number of fronts, and I wanted to keep you posted on recent developments.
- Inaugural Event for Crossroads Coalition: The event was a huge success. Approximately 150 individuals attended, representing a broad range of interests and organizations throughout the state and region. The event was held at the recently opened Technology Center for the Delta in Wynne , AR. A major power outage in parts of town caused by a dump truck tearing down power lines required a mid-event move to the Wynne High School auditorium, where guest speaker Ronnie Bryant did an outstanding job of presenting the case for regional economic development. Bill Thomas followed with an overview of the organizational structure for the Crossroads Coalition. Attendees were then asked to indicate an interest in participating in one of the five CRC Pillar Groups: Economic Development, Community Development, Leadership Development, Education Development, and Foundation. Our goal is to have these pillars groups substantially in place by the start of the year.
- Crossroads Coalition website ( http://www.CrossroadsCoalition.org ): This website has been redesigned since the August 24 Wynne meeting to contain comprehensive information about the Coalition and how to become more involved in its activities. We've had a few network problems lately, so don't give up if you fail to be able to get the site to load the first time.
- Becoming Involved in the Crossroads Coalition: The Crossroads Coalition is a private-sector organization and participation is open to all individuals and organizations with an interest in Coalition's mission, regardless of their geographical location. Participation is defined as being part of one or more of the five CRC Pillar Groups. We are presently working on two fronts: (1) getting the names of those who have expressed an interest in being part of one or more Pillar Groups to the Pillar Group Chairs; and (2) creating a formal structure for participation by those who wish to be part of one of the Pillar Groups but have not yet expressed this interest.
- Pillar Group Activity: Although the Pillar Group structure is still being formalized, four activities that I want to mention to you are closely aligned with these Pillar Groups. a. Education Development: The Crossroads Coalition's four community colleges (and other partners) have submitted a proposal for a large grant that could have a major impact on the region. We are currently planning a session on the UA campus this fall to present this proposal and to discuss other possible opportunities. Details as to time and place will be forthcoming. b. Community Development: Two SEED (Students Engaged in Economic Development) projects – in McCrory and West Memphis – are on board for this semester and are generating considerable excitement thanks in part to the efforts of groups within these communities, the UA Department of Landscape Architecture and the Mack Blackwell Rural Transportation Center . We want to greatly increase the number of these projects throughout the Coalition in the coming months and will provide you an update in the next few months. c. Leadership Development: Two leadership classes are underway, taught by Pillar Group Chair John Alderson at East Arkansas Community College . This Pillar Group will also assume the lead in developing the Arkansas Student Chamber of Commerce, a unique approach to connecting higher education to Arkansas Communities that offers outstanding possibilities.
- Future Electronic Mailings to UAEDI and Crossroads Coalition members: At the moment, UAEDI is in the process of consolidating and reorganizing our electronic mailing list. We are now well over a 1000 in number and growing. Keeping this database current is proving to be a challenge, but it has proven to be the most effective approach. Some of you may receive more than one copy of this electronic update in the very in the near future. I apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.
- Fall Meeting of UAEDI: We are currently planning for a fall meeting of UAEDI. Mark Peterson has agreed to lead a UAEDI workshop this fall on how to generate partnerships between higher education and the Crossroads Coalition and its Pillar Groups. This meeting will be held at the University of Arkansas Student Union on Thursday December 1, 2005 from 1:30-3:30 pm. More details will be forthcoming, but please reserve the date and plan to attend!
One of UAEDI's goals from its beginning has been to help create a new model for broad-based development in Arkansas . Thanks to many of you, significant progress has been made in creating such a model as reflected by the formation of the Crossroads Coalition, as well as other activities. Most of the work remains before us, however, and it is not always clear as what the next step should be and who should take it. However, I'm convinced that the basic structure is in place to make this model a huge success thanks in large part to those of you who have been part of this endeavor thus far. Likewise, I welcome all others with similar interests to be part of this effort as well.
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