TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

A. ASSISTING COMMUNITIES IN STRATEGIC PLANNING AND COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Provide technical assistance for up to 3 communities a year in conducting a strategic planning process for their community that would prepare them to implement an effective economic development program and to be prepared for funding opportunities.

A.1 Utilize the ASUC's Regional Leaders Program as a vehicle for introducing the program's participating community leaders to the value and process of community strategic planning training.

A.2 Promote the Center's service throughout the service area.

A.3 Work closely with interested communities to plan a strategic planning process and contractual agreement that is most appropriate for the community's needs and situation. Finalize the contract or service agreement and provide the service.

A.4 Continue to serve as a member of the core steering committee of the Vision 2010 community strategic planning program, as funded by the state legislature and operated by a collaboration of state agencies, universities and private sector partners; and serve as the lead technical assistance provider for one of the Delta communities participating in the Vision 2010 program.

A.5 Respond to all other requests for assistance in areas directly related to community economic development as resources and time allow.


B. PROMOTING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE DELTA

Provide oversight and direction in years one and two of this funding period for the EDA Netmobile project, which is aimed at improving the efficiency and productivity of businesses in the Delta through Internet usage, by training 15-30 people a week in the problem-solving capacity of the Internet using information search and retrieval techniques.

B.1 Provide administrative and direction services for the Netmobile to insure smooth and effective operation.

B.2 Work to develop additional partnerships for the project and a means of continuing the service, if the need for it continues, beyond the 2-year grant period.


C. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DELTA ECONOMIC ADJUSTMENT STRATEGY

Provide oversight and direction for implementation of an EDA Economic Adjustment Strategy project for the Delta.

C.1 Apply for a grant to implement the Economic Adjustment Strategy developed by the ASUC for the Delta.

C.2 Provide administrative and direction services for the project to insure smooth and effective operation.

C.3 Work to develop additional partnerships for the project and a means of continuing the services, if the need for them continues, beyond the implementation project grant period.


APPLIED RESEARCH

D. DEVELOPING REGIONAL LEADERS FOR COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Help build the capacity of local leaders to do economic and community development in rural areas. Provide community leadership training that promotes cooperation among communities in addition to identifying, educating, motivating, and effectively networking at least 30 emerging leaders each year from communities in the Delta's counties.

D.1 Promote the program to gain a diversity of qualified applicants.

D.2 Develop curriculum and class materials, secure presenters and facilitators, and make meeting arrangements for the two classes to meet on separate schedules for a two-day opening retreat and then one day each month for nine months, and a day and a half in Little Rock conferring with state leaders.

D.3 Secure fees from all participants or their sponsors to cover the operational costs of the program.

D.4 Work with alumni to identify and secure at least two sponsors of scholarships; promote employer sponsorship of applicants to the program; and require all applicants to personally pay a minimum of 10% of the program's fee.


DISSEMINATING INFORMATION

E. MARKETING AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACTIVITIES

Disseminate information about the programs and services of the ASUC and related programs at ASU through Internet-based techniques.

E.1 Submit materials for inclusion on the ASUC website. Advise in the design of the site.

E.2 Make use of the media in efforts to promote and report on the ASUC and associated programs.

E.3 Publish an annual report and inform the public about its availability through notices in the ASUC web page on the Internet.

E.4 Maintain the web page by providing updated materials to the server administrator.