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Community Development Focus
Click here for our comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) document.
EAPDD provides a variety of services to assist local governments and organizations define, organize, and promote local development initiatives. These include:
Planning and Strategic Development
Staff provides on-going assistance to cities, counties, and local development organizations (such as chambers of commerce, and industrial development corporations), in undertaking coordinated economic development programs. This work often involves the participation of local educational institutions such as community and technical colleges.
The District also puts together a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for the twelve-county region, which provides a framework for local development initiatives as well as a vehicle for maintaining local eligibility for federal financial assistance. Included in this document is a wide range of 2000 U.S. Census information on the region that the District has access to as an affiliate of the Arkansas State Census Data Center. There is no charge for this data, except for the duplication of graphics and mapping, if requested. Most of the data found in this document can also be found at the US Census Bureau's web site and at the University of Arkansas's State Census Data web site. An updated copy of the CEDS will be available in June, 2004.
The District also periodically updates an overall economic development strategy covering the entire region, which provides a framework for local development initiatives as well as a vehicle for maintaining local eligibility for federal financial assistance.
Technical Assistance Services
The primary thrust of this service is to provide advice and counsel to more narrowly defined, specific community management and financing issues, such as on the feasibility or desirability of undertaking various elements of community planning, community project financing strategies, resource availability and limitations, and referrals.
Project Packaging
Staff will provide assistance in preparing application forms for state, federal and/or other funding for specific projects. This assistance includes the preparation of narrative justification, compilation of data and other statistics necessary to support application requirements, and assistance with presentation, if appropriate.
Project Management
The statutory and regulatory requirements, which are usually conditions of many state and federal grants and loans, can be overwhelming to most local governments and organizations. The district staff has many years of experience in assisting local recipients in complying with these many responsibilities, and especially with the Arkansas Community & Economic Development Program (ACEDP), administered by the Arkansas Department of Economic Development.
The staff, acting as an agent of the recipient (usually on a contract basis, paid out of the proceeds of the funding), will set up and maintain the required records, reports and procedures, and provide the oversight necessary to ensure proper coordination and project execution. Typical responsibilities include: financial management; environmental review; procurement; construction management and labor compliance; equal employment, fair housing, ADA, and other civil rights requirements; and property acquisition.
Economic Data Information Services
The District is an affiliate of the Arkansas State Census Data Center, and thus has a wide range of U.S. Census information available for EAPDD’s 12 county service area. Staff is able to provide 1990 Census information, down to the Block Group and Census tract level, on request. There is no charge for the provision of this data, except for the duplication of mapping, if requested. Most 1990 data is on-line in the District’s computer, but many publications are also available for examination. Limited pre-1990 Census data is also available in hard copy.
Web Services
The District can create web sites, provide email services, and offer custom programming for cities, counties, and other organizations in our area. More details are available on the web services page.
Design Services
The District can provide limited assistance in the development of concepts and initial design studies for parks and recreation projects, street and highway problems and community beautification projects.
For more information about project development, project design, or project management services, contact Dianne Norman (Community Development Consultant):
- Phone: (870) 932-3957
- Fax: (870) 932-0135
- Email: click here
For more information about EAPDD web services, contact Tom Scrape (Programmer/Analyst):
- Phone: (870) 932-3957
- Fax: (870) 932-0135
- Email: click here
