‘Quality of place’ key in economic development
By Sara Greene
LITTLE ROCK — Judy Kellar, director of Maumelle Community and Economic Development, and other leaders throughout the state are educating themselves on the role “quality of place” plays in economic development.
They are attending a workshop Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Camp Mitchell Episcopal Center in Morrilton.
“I think every community can expand on the good qualities they have. Maumelle is already a model community with walking trails and our sports programs, but you never know when another community could have a great idea you haven’t thought of yet,” Kellar said.
Maureen Rose, a program associate in the Community and Economic Development Department of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said the workshop is about using the assets within in a community to take it community to the next level, whether it is big steps or little steps.
“Quality of place is when a community takes a step above and beyond. For example, a small town can let residents exercise on the school track, but a town with quality of place might make a series of interconnecting walking trails leading up to the school,” Rose said.
Another example is community beautification.
Rose said instead of just having a welcome sign, a town could have a sign with a theme and landscaping that is echoed throughout the community.
“Let’s say a fitness facility closes due to a bankruptcy. In one town it might stay empty until another business buys it. A quality of place town could buy the building and turn it into a community center,” Rose said.
Towns can also improve their quality of place through entrepreneurship, heritage preservation and technology.
“Broadband connectivity is important. If you can have the Internet, you can work anywhere. There are people who live someplace they have an affinity for locally and work for national companies,” Rose said.
People from retirees to young families are choosing to live in communities that offer extradoniary personal experiences.
“Retirees like the baby boomers are used to specific amenities in the city and a community needs to think about things such as do we have a restaurant beyond a fast-food chain or do we have a farmers markets where people can buy fresh produce,” Rose said
Retirees are more active than ever before, Rose said, and staying at home won’t satisfy them.
“Today’s retirees want access to college classes that can lead to hobbies such as woodworking or art. Some may want second career or part-time work to supplement their retirement,” Rose said.
Rose said community and economic development go hand in hand. Community leaders will leave the conference with anaction plan to attract people to live, work and play in their communities.
Mark Peterson, who is a professor and community development specialist for the U of A Division of Agriculture, said the workshop will help community leaders who want to draw college graduates and others back to their hometowns to start new businesses.
“This isn’t a lecture. Participants are going to work on development plans they can take back to their communities,” Peterson said.
To make reservations for the quality of place workshop or for more information about future workshops, contact the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Community and Economic Development program office by calling (501) 671-2066 or by sending an e-mail to mrose@uaex.edu.
This article was published Sunday, October 5, 2008.
River Valley Ozark, Pages 142 on 10/05/2008
