Annual/Termination Reports:

[07/21/2006] [06/25/2007] [10/20/2008] [06/22/2010]

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Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

Accomplishments<br /> Objective 1:<br /> o Developed an input-output analysis of impacts of invasive weeds on a recreational area.<br /> o Developed fiscal impact model for the state of Nevada employing cross-sectional and time-series data.<br /> o Investigated application of Target MOTAD procedures for estimating tax revenue portfolios for Western U.S. states.<br /> o Completed industrial demand analysis for potential pinion-juniper biomass industry in northeastern Nevada.<br /> o Completed analysis of factors for rural business incubators and possible pinyon-juniper biomass incubator for northeastern Nevada.<br /> o Developed a primary and secondary data social accounting model for Eureka County, Nevada.<br /> o Completed a cluster economic development and feasibility analysis for a national wild horse and burro interpretative center in Lyon County, Nevada.<br /> o Developed input-output procedures to estimate county and sub-county economic impacts of the local health care sector and feasibility analysis of a kidney dialysis center in Humboldt County, Nevada.<br /> o Developed procedures for targeted cluster economic development.<br /> o Developed instrumental variable technique to estimate state-level locational factors for biotechnology firms.<br /> o The Western Entrepreneurial Listening Sessions were facilitated by the WRDC in partnership with LGUs, NGOs, state government agencies and Tribal organizations. Data was collected at each of the ten sessions which were held in Utah, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Arizona, California, North Dakota, Nevada, New Mexico and Hawaii. The listening sessions facilitated the identification of target areas for increased education and research focused on enterprise development in the West. To read detailed reports of each session, visit the listening session web page at http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/Entrepreneurial%20Listening%20Sessions.cfm<br /> o The Rural Policy Research Institutes Rural Governance Initiative (RGI) Community Clustering Initiative (CCI) has been exploring how rural people and institutions make decisions about their collective well being through the process of governance. The WRDC has provided the needed technical support to the Community Clustering Initiative to facilitate the multi-state meetings without the added travel expense of face-to-face meetings. The WRDCs technical graduate intern has enabled this group to conduct their meetings live over the Internet utilizing Macromedia Breeze. The RGIs CCI assembled a team of advisors comprised of colleagues in the fields of rural development, community capacity-building and youth engagement. To read a press release about the Rural Governance Initiative visit this web page http://www.rupri.org/news/Default.asp?news_ID=38<br /> <br /> Objective 2:<br /> <br /> o The WRDC organized a small team of researchers and submitted a grant proposal to NRI titled, Integrating Interactional Field and Rational Choice Theories to Enhance Understanding of Rural Community Responses to Rapid Energy Development. The grant did not receive funding.<br /> o Funds from regional research Hatch Project NE-1011 were used as well as U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration University Center program. Lincoln County Economic Development authority and State of Nevada Commission on Economic Development provided funding for industrial energy demand study for Lincoln and White Pine Counties. Funding was approximately $20,000. U.S. Forest Service provided $5,000 funding for study of possible pinyon-juniper biomass incubator in Lincoln or White Pine Counties. Eureka County provided approximately $20,000 for semi-survey of county input-output model. Lyon County Commissioners and USDA-Rural Development provided approximately $36,000 for feasibility study of wild horse and burro interpretative center. University of Nevada Rural Health Department provides approximately $6,000 for county economic impact analysis of health sector and selected health care service feasibility studies.<br /> <br /> Objective 3:<br /> <br /> o The WRDC organized a multistate team to develop and submit a WSARE grant proposal titled, Entrepreneurial Sustainable Agriculture: Alternatives for Processing, packaging, labeling, and Marketing in Retail/Internet markets. The grant was funded for $58,755.<br /> <br /> Objective 4:<br /> <br /> o The Western Rural Poverty Research Conference was coordinated by the WRDC in April 2005 and included approximately 40 participants from throughout the regions LGUs, state agencies and tribal colleges. This multistate research conference focused on poverty alleviation in rural communities of the West. Scientists from across the region participated in the conference and it was broadcast live via the Internet. To view the conference presentations, visit the website at http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/poverty_main.cfm<br /> o The WRDC Newsletter, Rural Connections, is published quarterly by the WRDC and serves as a resource for the regions LGUs, government and non-government partners and others by disseminating research. Each issue of Rural Connections highlights one topic which correlates to one of the Centers focus areas (Enterprise Development, Capacity of Land Grant Universities and Partners, Civic Capacity and Land Use/Public Policy). The newsletter also includes regular features on community development, publications, data sources, the Centers Board of Directors and upcoming events. To view the newsletters online go to http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/newsletter.cfm<br /> o Rural Sociological Societys 69th Annual Meeting  Panel Discussion. John C. Allen will participate in a panel session focusing on the research conducted on entrepreneurial success in rural communities.<br /> <br /> Objective 5:<br /> <br /> o The Energizing Communities through Entrepreneurism: Spring Symposium was sponsored and coordinated by the WRDC in April 2005. Over 50 people representing LGUs, state and non-government agencies, and community development practitioners participated in this one-day training. Attendees learned from nationally known developers of successful entrepreneurial models for making communities more vital and sustainable. To view the symposium presentations, visit the website located at http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/symposium_main.cfm<br /> o The Western Community Vitality Initiative (WCVI) Training Workshop and Resource Fair was sponsored and coordinated by the WRDC in May 2006. It attracted over 80 participants from the region including Guam and Hawaii. In attendance were representatives from LGUs, including Extension faculty/agents and state agency personnel. The training was geared to enhance the capacity of the land grant university system. To view the detailed workshop program including the trainers bios, visit the website http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/WCVIweb1.cfm . Note: As of June 27, 2006, the WCVI trainers presentations are not on the website; however, the WRDC staff is working to get these collected and posted within the coming month.<br /> o The E-Commerce Training sponsored and coordinated by the WRDC, brought together private sector and Extension faculty trainers in May 2006 for a two-day train-the-trainer workshop. Designed for LGUs, Extension faculty/agents and community development practitioners, participants gained knowledge and skills needed to assist their clients with implementing E-Commerce to increase the success of their businesses. In addition, participants heard from and interacted with several local business owners and discovered how they became successful incorporating E-Commerce into their business practices. You may view the trainers presentations by visiting the E-Commerce website http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/ecommerce2006.cfm<br /> <br /> Objective 6:<br /> <br /> o The WRDC signed an MOU with the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship where we now co-brand out reach educational materials focused on supporting rural entrepreneurs.<br /> o Curriculum: Building on Assets and Mobilizing for Collective Action has been adopted by a Utah State University Anthropologist and is being applied in rural communities in Peru during the summer of 2006. In addition, Dr. Glass-Coffin will be translating this curriculum into Spanish for future publication by the WRDC. <br /> <br /> <br />

Publications

Impact Statements

1. o Research results found substantial impacts of invasive weeds on the recreation of the county. If efforts are not taken to eradicate these invasive weeds, the county will realize loss in economic activity due to lower tourism.
2. o A county-level fiscal impact model has been developed to estimate county fiscal impacts from exogenous changes. The fiscal model is currently being expanded to incorporate school district and city fiscal impacts.
3. o A Target MOTAD model for analysis of tax revenue portfolios was completed. The analysis showed tax revenue shares that would meet certain revenue growth projections.
4. o An extension fact sheet was competed which gave a brief overview of business incubators and factors for successful business incubators.
5. o Data was collected for a feasibility analysis of a pinyon-juniper biomass incubator located in either Lincoln or White Pine Counties. Study was presented to U.S. Forest Service.
6. o A semi-survey input-output model of Eureka County was completed and results presented to Eureka County Commissioners. Study used by Eureka County for rangeland fire mitigation estimates.
7. o A feasibility study for a possible national wild horse and burro interpretative center was completed. The analysis investigated linkages of the national center into the Reno Tourism Industry Cluster and also estimated factors to increase adoption rates of wild horses. Study was given to Lyon County Commissioners and U.S. Bureau of Land Management.
8. o Health sector impact analysis has been used by rural hospitals considering Critical Access hospital (CAH) designation. Also a feasibility analysis was completed for a possible kidney dialysis center in Humboldt County.
9. o The City of Sparks has used the cluster industrial targeting study in its economic development program.
10. o Western Rural Poverty Research Conference The Northwest Area Foundation funded $25,000 for research to analyze data gathered in 2003 and 2004 and present a research paper entitled Community-Level Applications of Social Indicators Survey to be used by the local leadership of the communities and states to reduce poverty.
11. o Western Entrepreneurial Listening Sessions led to improving a small business support system for their sub-region in Western Fresno County and strengthening rural entrepreneurism in Price, Utah. A loan program for students with an approved business plan for a real business venture may receive up to a $2,000 low interest loan from the City of Price with no fees or collateral or parental signature and waiver of conditional use permit fees and business license fees by the city.

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Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: <br /> Objective 1. Collaborate with community residents, research faculty, Extension faculty, private sector representatives, NGOs and state agency representatives to identify current focused, multi-state community development research areas, as well as future areas of work, which might include regional clustered development, agricultural and eco-tourism, enterprise development (off-farm and on farm/ranch), or alternative forestry products and markets.<br /> Accomplishments:<br /> <br /> " Fiscal and Economic Impacts of a 500 MW IGCC Facility in Wyoming<br /> " Fiscal and Economic Impacts of Public Land Grazing in Park County, Wyoming<br /> " Economic Impacts of the Bridger Teton National Forest to the Region<br /> " Economic Assessment of Gas Development in the Pinedale Anticline in Southwest Wyoming<br /> " Developed an input-output analysis of impacts of invasive weeds on a recreational area.<br /> " Developed fiscal impact model for the state of Nevada employing cross-sectional and time-series data.<br /> " Investigated application of Target MOTAD procedures for estimating tax revenue portfolios for Western U.S. states.<br /> " Completed industrial demand analysis for potential pinion-juniper biomass industry in northeastern Nevada.<br /> " Completed analysis of factors for rural business incubators and possible pinyon-juniper biomass incubator for northeastern Nevada.<br /> " Developed a primary and secondary data social accounting model for Eureka County, Nevada.<br /> " Completed a cluster economic development and feasibility analysis for a national wild horse and burro interpretative center in Lyon County, Nevada.<br /> " Developed input-output procedures to estimate county and sub-county economic impacts of the local health care sector and feasibility analysis of a kidney dialysis center in Humboldt County, Nevada.<br /> " Developed procedures for targeted cluster economic development.<br /> " Developed instrumental variable technique to estimate state-level locational factors for biotechnology firms.<br /> " The Western Entrepreneurial Listening Sessions were facilitated by the WRDC in partnership with LGUs, NGOs, state government agencies and Tribal organizations. Data was collected at each of the ten sessions which were held in Utah, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Arizona, California, North Dakota, Nevada, New Mexico and Hawaii. The listening sessions facilitated the identification of target areas for increased education and research focused on enterprise development in the West. To read detailed reports of each session, visit the listening session web page at http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/Entrepreneurial%20Listening%20Sessions.cfm<br /> " The Rural Policy Research Institutes Rural Governance Initiative (RGI) Community Clustering Initiative (CCI) has been exploring how rural people and institutions make decisions about their collective well being through the process of governance. The WRDC has provided the needed technical support to the Community Clustering Initiative to facilitate the multi-state meetings without the added travel expense of face-to-face meetings. The WRDCs technical graduate intern has enabled this group to conduct their meetings live over the Internet utilizing Macromedia Breeze. The RGIs CCI assembled a team of advisors comprised of colleagues in the fields of rural development, community capacity-building and youth engagement. To read a press release about the Rural Governance Initiative visit this web page http://www.rupri.org/news/Default.asp?news_ID=38<br /> " Participated in the 2nd Annual Agricultural Entrepreneur Institute at Iowa State University October 19 & 20 to discuss research, resident instruction, and outreach issues related to entrepreneurship. Participants included Iowa State University faculty, representatives from interested public agencies, and farmer entrepreneurs.<br /> <br /> Objective 2: Develop funding support for research programs through grants and contracts that could include National Research Initiative (NRI), foundation RFPs, or agency and private sector contracts.<br /> Accomplishments:<br /> <br /> " Local Fiscal and Environmental Effects of Regional Water Supply projects funded by the Wyoming Water Development Commission. <br /> " Shoshone National Forest Forest Plan <br /> " Bridger Teton National Forest Forest Plan Update <br /> " BLM Lander District RMP Update <br /> " Fiscal and Economic Impacts of an IGCC facility in Wyoming <br /> " Economic Impacts of Gas Development on the Pinedale Anticline in Southwestern Wyoming<br /> " The WRDC organized a small team of researchers and submitted a grant proposal to NRI titled, Integrating Interactional Field and Rational Choice Theories to Enhance Understanding of Rural Community Responses to Rapid Energy Development. The grant did not receive funding.<br /> " Funds from regional research Hatch Project NE-1011 were used as well as U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration University Center program. Lincoln County Economic Development authority and State of Nevada Commission on Economic Development provided funding for industrial energy demand study for Lincoln and White Pine Counties. Funding was approximately $20,000. U.S. Forest Service provided $5,000 funding for study of possible pinyon-juniper biomass incubator in Lincoln or White Pine Counties. Eureka County provided approximately $20,000 for semi-survey of county input-output model. Lyon County Commissioners and USDA-Rural Development provided approximately $36,000 for feasibility study of wild horse and burro interpretative center. University of Nevada Rural Health Department provides approximately $6,000 for county economic impact analysis of health sector and selected health care service feasibility studies.<br /> " Received a grant to support a research project Motivation, Opportunity Recognition, and Community Support of Entrepreneur Farmers from the Iowa State University Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative.<br /> <br /> Objective 3. Develop funding support for development of tailored outreach materials (including highly focused curricula) in areas such as regional economic clusters, entrepreneurial development, or value added opportunities to be delivered by cooperative extension and other partners.<br /> Accomplishments:<br /> <br /> " Report to the Governors Office on the IGCC analysis<br /> " Reports to Shoshone National Forest and Bridger Teton National Forest<br /> " The WRDC organized a multistate team to develop and submit a WSARE grant proposal titled, Entrepreneurial Sustainable Agriculture: Alternatives for Processing, packaging, labeling, and Marketing in Retail/Internet markets. The grant was funded for $58,755.<br /> " <br /> <br /> Objective 4. Disseminate research findings and outreach materials to land grant institutions and rural communities via policy briefs, websites (on-demand training), professional journals, and private sector or agency newsletters and conferences.<br /> Accomplishments:<br /> " The Western Rural Poverty Research Conference was coordinated by the WRDC in April 2005 and included approximately 40 participants from throughout the regions LGUs, state agencies and tribal colleges. This multistate research conference focused on poverty alleviation in rural communities of the West. Scientists from across the region participated in the conference and it was broadcast live via the Internet. To view the conference presentations, visit the website at http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/poverty_main.cfm<br /> " The WRDC Newsletter, Rural Connections, is published quarterly by the WRDC and serves as a resource for the regions LGUs, government and non-government partners and others by disseminating research. Each issue of Rural Connections highlights one topic which correlates to one of the Centers focus areas (Enterprise Development, Capacity of Land Grant Universities and Partners, Civic Capacity and Land Use/Public Policy). The newsletter also includes regular features on community development, publications, data sources, the Centers Board of Directors and upcoming events. To view the newsletters online go to http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/newsletter.cfm<br /> " Rural Sociological Societys 69th Annual Meeting  Panel Discussion. John C. Allen will participate in a panel session focusing on the research conducted on entrepreneurial success in rural communities.<br /> " Korsching, Peter F. 2006. Farm Entrepreneurship Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Rural Sociological Society, August 1013, Louisville, Kentucky.<br /> " Allen, John C. and Peter F. Korsching. 2006. Participation in NxLevel Training: Does Delivery Structure Matter? Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Rural Sociological Society, August 1013, Louisville, Kentucky.<br /> " <br /> Objective 5. Deliver training and technical assistance to extension, federal, state and NGO audiences.<br /> Accomplishments:<br /> " The Energizing Communities through Entrepreneurism: Spring Symposium was sponsored and coordinated by the WRDC in April 2005. Over 50 people representing LGUs, state and non-government agencies, and community development practitioners participated in this one-day training. Attendees learned from nationally known developers of successful entrepreneurial models for making communities more vital and sustainable. To view the symposium presentations, visit the website located at http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/symposium_main.cfm<br /> " The Western Community Vitality Initiative (WCVI) Training Workshop and Resource Fair was sponsored and coordinated by the WRDC in May 2006. It attracted over 80 participants from the region including Guam and Hawaii. In attendance were representatives from LGUs, including Extension faculty/agents and state agency personnel. The training was geared to enhance the capacity of the land grant university system. To view the detailed workshop program including the trainers bios, visit the website http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/WCVIweb1.cfm . Note: As of June 27, 2006, the WCVI trainers presentations are not on the website; however, the WRDC staff is working to get these collected and posted within the coming month.<br /> " The E-Commerce Training sponsored and coordinated by the WRDC, brought together private sector and Extension faculty trainers in May 2006 for a two-day train-the-trainer workshop. Designed for LGUs, Extension faculty/agents and community development practitioners, participants gained knowledge and skills needed to assist their clients with implementing E-Commerce to increase the success of their businesses. In addition, participants heard from and interacted with several local business owners and discovered how they became successful incorporating E-Commerce into their business practices. You may view the trainers presentations by visiting the E-Commerce website http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/ecommerce2006.cfm<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Objective 6. Catalyze new relationships between land grant faculty and rural development partners nationally and throughout the Western region. Relationships could include joint publications, joint research conferences, policy analysis and recommendations, or joint curriculum development and delivery.<br /> Accomplishments:<br /> " The WRDC signed an MOU with the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship where we now co-brand out reach educational materials focused on supporting rural entrepreneurs.<br /> Curriculum: Building on Assets and Mobilizing for Collective Action has been adopted by a Utah State University Anthropologist and is being applied in rural communities in Peru during the summer of 2006. In addition, Dr. Glass-Coffin will be translating this curriculum into Spanish for future publication by the <br />

Publications

Impact Statements

1. " Shoshone National Forest implemented a Forest Plan with appropriate consideration given to agriculture and wildlife habitat concerns.
2. " Pinedale Anticline Gas Field commenced development
3. " Greater public and professional understanding of the water supply challenges associated with growth. (This outcome is real!)
4. " Participation in follow up to recommendations included in Water Resource Availability for the Tucson Metropolitan Area.
5. " Improved understanding of how water supply regulations and entities have worked to accommodate growth in Arizona and other semi-arid areas.

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Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: <br /> Objective 1. Collaborate with community residents, research faculty, Extension faculty, private sector representatives, NGOs and state agency representatives to identify current focused, multi-state community development research areas, as well as future areas of work, which might include regional clustered development, agricultural and eco-tourism, enterprise development (off-farm and on farm/ranch), or alternative forestry products and markets.<br /> Accomplishments:<br /> <br /> " Employment impacts from closure of Mohave Power Plant in Bullhead City, Arizona and Laughlin, Nevada<br /> " Fiscal and Economic Impacts of Public Land Grazing in Elko County, Nevada<br /> " Economic Assessment of Development in Anaconda, Montana<br /> " Developed fiscal impact model for the state of Nevada employing cross-sectional and time-series data.<br /> " Estimate potential employment impacts of closure of Tonopah Test range for Nye County Commissioners.<br /> " Collaborated with Idaho Assembly to estimate cyclical trends in state revenues.<br /> <br /> Objective 2: Develop funding support for research programs through grants and contracts that could include National Research Initiative (NRI), foundation RFPs, or agency and private sector contracts.<br /> Accomplishments:<br /> <br /> " Funds from regional research Hatch Project NE-1011 were used as well as U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration University Center program. Elko County Commissioners provided $15,000 to study impacts of mining on the Elko County economy.<br /> " U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration provided $20,000 to study employment dislocation from closure of Mohave Power Plant.<br /> " University Center funds from U.S. Department of Commerce assist in analysis of Nevada economic trends.<br /> " Approximately $16,000 from University of Nevada Medical School to estimate economic impacts of county health sector.<br /> <br /> Objective 3. Develop funding support for development of tailored outreach materials (including highly focused curricula) in areas such as regional economic clusters, entrepreneurial development, or value added opportunities to be delivered by cooperative extension and other partners.<br /> Accomplishments:<br /> <br /> " Report from employment dislocation in Colorado River system provided information for cluster economic analysis.<br /> " Results of Anaconda, Montana research provide cluster economic development analysis.<br /> Objective 4. Disseminate research findings and outreach materials to land grant institutions and rural communities via policy briefs, websites (on-demand training), professional journals, and private sector or agency newsletters and conferences.<br /> Accomplishments:<br /> <br /> " The WRDC Newsletter, Rural Connections, is published quarterly by the WRDC and serves as a resource for the regions LGUs, government and non-government partners and others by disseminating research. Each issue of Rural Connections highlights one topic which correlates to one of the Centers focus areas (Enterprise Development, Capacity of Land Grant Universities and Partners, Civic Capacity and Land Use/Public Policy). The newsletter also includes regular features on community development, publications, data sources, the Centers Board of Directors and upcoming events. To view the newsletters online go to http://extension.usu.edu/wrdc/newsletter.cfm<br /> .<br /> <br /> Objective 5. Deliver training and technical assistance to extension, federal, state and NGO audiences.<br /> Accomplishments:<br /> " .Presentation of results of Community Business Matching model made a Galaxy III conference and a book chapter.<br /> <br /> Objective 6. Catalyze new relationships between land grant faculty and rural development partners nationally and throughout the Western region. Relationships could include joint publications, joint research conferences, policy analysis and recommendations, or joint curriculum development and delivery.<br /> Accomplishments:<br /> " The WRDC signed an MOU with the RUPRI Center for Rural Entrepreneurship where we now co-brand out reach educational materials focused on supporting rural entrepreneurs.<br /> " Curriculum: Building on Assets and Mobilizing for Collective Action has been adopted by a Utah State University Anthropologist and is being applied in rural communities in Peru during the summer of 2006. In addition, Dr. Glass-Coffin will be translating this curriculum into Spanish for future publication by the WRDC<br />

Publications

Impact Statements

1. " Elko County Commissioners were able to use study of gold mining sector impact to show potential impacts of the proposed federal lease changes.
2. " Economic development authorities in Bullhead City, Arizona and Laughlin, Nevada used results of employment impacts from closure of Mohave Power Plant to obtain employment dislocation funding from U.S. Economic Development Administration.
3. " Nye County Commissioners used results of Tonopah Test Site employment closure impacts as testimony before Department of Defense hearing.
4. " Anaconda Local Development Council used results of the Community Business Matching model to develop a builders association and develop a marketing strategy which included a web site, DVDs and brochures.
5. Successful development of an economic development strategy in an EPA superfund site in Anaconda, Montana.
6. " Successful application and award of employment dislocation grant.
7. " Successful formulation of a four-county economic development strategy among four competing counties in Montana.

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Participants

Members of the committee included: Don E. Albrecht (Western Rural Development Center), Linda Cox (University of Hawaii), Hans Geier (University of Alaska, Fairbanks), Mariah Evans (University of Nevada-Reno), Thomas Harris (University of Nevada-Reno), Buddy Borden (University of Nevada-Reno), and Allison Davis (University of Kentucky).

Brief Summary of Minutes

MINUTES: WERA 1005 and TEMP2981
Date: April 26-27, 2010
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Present at the meeting :

Rangesan Narayanan, (Administrative Advisor) University of Nevada, Reno rang@cabnr.unr.edu

Don Albrecht, USU (WRDC Director) WRDC and Utah State University don.albrecht@usu.edu

Tom Harris University of Nevada, Reno harris@cabnr.unr.edu

Buddy Borden University of Nevada, Reno Bordenb@unce.unr.edu

Louis Swanson Colorado State University Louis.Swanson@colostate.edu

Marion Bentley Utah State University Marion.bentley@usu.edu

Abelardo Rodriguez University of Idaho abelardo@uidaho.edu

Anil Rupasingha New Mexico State University anilr@nmsu.edu

Yong Chen Oregon State University Yong.chen@oregonstate.edu

Roger Coupal University of Wyoming coupal@uwyo.edu


Officers:
Tom Harris (Chair)
Louis Swanson (Vice-Chair)
Roger Coupal, (Secretary)
I. The group reviewed the goals of WERA 1005 and were asked to send to Rang results of work that applied to the goals. Besides a list of work Rang also needs the agenda, minutes, and a termination report for WERA1005.
II. Three components of the WRDC Strategic Plan and Priority Areas were used to frame work objectives:
a. Human capital changes
b. Place based community development
c. Promoting rural sustainable development
Out of these priorities two projects were proposed.
III. Proposed projects
Lew Swanson proposed evaluating Extensions ability to serve community development:
a. Proposed Project I : AN ASSESSMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES IN THE WEST
This project would evaluate Experiment Stations and Extensions ability and expectations to implement community development education in the Western States with stakeholders expectations of what is needed for community development. Questions that will be answered include:
" To what degree are blended projects encouraged in the Western States?
" What level are Universities allowing research and engagement in community development?
" Assess the match and mismatch between University efforts at community development and stakeholder expectations.
" What is the effective capacity in each state for conducting community development research and extension?
The project will develop a set of interview instruments using key informant methodology that will be used to assess qualitative data from specialists and educators at the University level and practitioners off campus that might petition for University resources on projects. This latter group includes Rural Development Councils, local economic developers, and others.
Outputs will include a State Profile of Community development resource capacity and content focus. Lew Swanson and Don Albrecht will develop the appropriate instruments.
Project Expected Cost: $50,000
Project Scope: 13 Western States

b. A Discussion on building relationships with federal and state agencies to provide technical resources for agency decision-making

c. Proposed Project: ASSESSING LABOR SKILL MISMATCH IN RURAL AREAS OF THE WEST
The proposal is to assess the skill/occupational mismatch between industry demand and household supply in selected regions of the west. Each participating state will identify a rural area associated with a metropolitan core and estimate skill mismatch in the rural area and the metro-core. One or two selected areas will combine this seconday data approach with a survey to assess skill matching in the broader regional econom with small and medium size farms that participate in off-farm employment.
The research project will support two ongoing extension activities connected with the WRDC: Community Vitality Modeling, and the SET Project
Conceptual foundations:
Jackman, R., Layard, R., Savouri, S. (1991) Mismatch: A Framework for Thought, in F. Padoa Schioppa (Editor) Mismatch and Labour Mobility; Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 44-101.
Jackman, R., Roper, S. (1987) Structural Unemployment, Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, 49 (1): 9-36.
Obadiae, Alka.  Theoretical and empirical framework of measuring mismatch on a labour market. Zb. rad. Ekon. fak. Rij. " 2006 " vol. 24 " sv. 1 " 55-80

Participants: Open
Potential Funding: Targeting AFRI, Agricultural Economics and Rural Communities. A1601. Prosperity of medium sized farms and rural communities.
Contacts for information: Don Albrecht, Tom Harris, Roger Coupal

Accomplishments

Demographic and economic changes in the rural west give rise to community development challenges. To assist the region in adapting to these changes, this Multistate Coordinating Committee was formed to provide a platform for focused community development discussions leading to strengthened rural economies. Through the years, the Committee has linked researchers and outreach personnel in several states to conduct research, convene multistate collaborations, and to develop and disseminate extension curricula. States involved on the committee have included Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. During this past year, the committee met in Reno, Nevada in August 2008 and January 2009. <br /> <br /> Among the accomplishments of WERA 1005 include the development and utilization of the Community-Business Matching Model. The Community-Business Matching (CBM) Model provides a framework for communities to use, with the guidance of a trained Extension Specialist, to prioritize their business recruitment and retention goals and identify the assets within their community to help them achieve these development goals. Utilizing the CBM database, a communitys goals and assets are compared to business profiles to determine development decisions that reflect the desires of community members. Basically, generating a list of businesses whose operations best match the communitys goals. Then the Extension facilitator helps the community to outline its economic development strategies to attract those businesses it is most compatible with based on the communitys goals and assets.<br /> <br /> Specifically, CBM will provide:<br /> 1) A framework for good decision-making.<br /> 2) Extension information gathered from businesses through the U.S. about their site selection decisions and the benefits they bring to communities.<br /> 3) Specialized software that can be used to access this data quickly. <br /> <br /> <br /> To date the CBM program has been applied in Montana, Nevada, Arizona, and California. In the state of Montana, it has been applied in two communities. The first application was at the local community level in Anaconda, Montana. This is an EPA Superfund site where economic development alternatives are limited. The Anaconda economic development group was able to use the results of the CBM process to elicit a strategic economic development plan and successfully recruit two industries. <br /> <br /> The second application in Montana was with a four-county regional approach. Typically counties have difficulty forming cohesive economic development strategies; however, the CBM approach provided a vehicle for these four counties to easily create a regional development plan and has paved the way for the relocation of firms with little political difficulties. Additionally, clearance and approval has been secured for a new energy generation plant to begin operations in 2011. The new plant is expected to more than double the tax base for one of the counties in the region: Deer Lodge County Montana. <br /> <br /> In the state of Nevada, the CBM approach was applied to the Colorado River Region border communities of Bullhead City, Fort Mohave, Mohave Valley and Golden Valley, Arizona and Laughlin, Nevada. These communities were impacted by the closure of the Mohave Power Plant. The CBM approach led to a regional approach to economic development and the successful and targeted relocation of firms to the new local industrial district.<br /> <br /> During 2009, the project team began work in the greater Monterey, California area. As of 2010, the estimated number of businesses that relocated/expanded/created directly as a result of the CBM program is 24 businesses with an estimated permanent employment of 500/600 new jobs (not including the construction phase).<br /> <br /> The CBM Team continues work on the development of a participants guide and a facilitators guide to be used by the local facilitator that is trained by the CBM team.<br /> <br /> The Community-Business Matching Model was awarded Finalist in the category of Excellence in Economic Development Research at the University Economic Development Association meeting held November 2008 in St. Petersburg, Florida. <br /> <br />

Publications

A book chapter has been published on the CBM model.<br /> Cox, Linda, Jonathan Alevy, Thomas R. Harris, Barbara Andreozzi, Joan Wright and George Buddy W. Borden. 2009. The Community Business Matching Model: Combining Community and Business Goals and Assets to Target Rural Economic Development. Pp. 255-278 in Stephen J. Goetz, Steven C. Deller and Thomas R. Harris (eds.) Targeting Regional Economic Development. New York: Routledge Press.<br />

Impact Statements

1. CBM will provide a framework for good decision-making
2. CBM will provide extension information gathered from businesses through the U.S. about their site selection decisions and the benefits they bring to communities
3. CBM will provide specialized software that can be used to access this data quickly

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