Western Rural Development Center

1. Western Rural Development Center Engaging the Future Presented by Don E. Albrecht Director Western Rural Development Center

2. WRDC– Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension • WRDC Strategic Plan • Conducted Rural Development Roundtables • 14 roundtables • One in each state in the WRDC’s region • One with its Board of Directors • Funded by the Farm Foundation • The purpose was to prioritize the issues in the rural West Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010

3. WRDC– Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension • WRDC Strategic Plan • 200+ participants representing: • Extension • Education • Research • Federal, state, tribal and local governments • Nonprofit organizations • Private business sector Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010

4. WRDC– Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension • WRDC Strategic Plan • Three key priorities emerged: • Enhance Human Capacity through People-Based Rural Development • Create Vibrant Rural Communities through Place-Based Rural Development • Promote Sustainable Natural Resource Development Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010

5. WRDC– Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension • WRDC Strategic Plan • Enhance Human Capacity through People-Based Rural Development • Traditional sources of rural employment (Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Manufacturing) have been declining • Many rural workers lack the education and skills necessary for high quality employment in global economy • There is great need for: • Addressing the adult education and workforce training challenges, especially among underserved populations • Improving schools and educational opportunities in rural areas • Strengthening leadership-training programs for youth and adults • Increasing access to affordable E-Commerce training Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010

6. WRDC– Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension • WRDC Strategic Plan • Create Vibrant Rural Communities through Place-Based Rural Development • Traditional approaches to rural economic development have been declining • Agriculture, natural resources, and manufacturing • No longer effective for rural communities to only focus their economic development strategies on natural resources development and/or engaging in industrial recruitment Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010

7. WRDC– Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension • WRDC Strategic Plan With modern information and communication technology, new opportunities available – reduced relevance of location • Building entrepreneurial-friendly communities • Addressing the need for broadband and cellular connectivity • Encouraging communities to promote themselves to potential new residents with geographically mobile jobs • Encouraging value-added and regional development Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010

8. WRDC– Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension • WRDC Strategic Plan • Promote Sustainable Natural Resource Development • Rural western communities flourished where natural resources were prevalent • In recent decades these industries have declined and so have resource-dependent communities • Dwindling supplies of some natural resources • Rethink the role of amenities Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010

9. WRDC– Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension • WRDC Strategic Plan To Promote Sustainable Natural Resource Development there is a need for timely, research-based information and balanced forums for discussion of these topics: • Convening groups for dialogue and reporting • Building multistate and multidisciplinary research and Extension teams • Developing renewable energy development and energy conservation • Resource decisions should be based on the best available science Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010

10. WRDC– Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension • WRDC Strategic Plan Two groups have already been formed to begin addressing some of these topics: • Consortium for Renewable Energy in the West (CREW) • WERA_TEMP2981 • Addressing the Rural Concerns of Rural America • April 26-27 in Las Vegas Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010

11. Western Rural Development CenterEngaging the Future Don E. Albrecht Director Western Rural Development Center Utah State University 8335 Old Main Hill Logan UT 84322-8335 Tel: 435.797.9732 E-mail: don.albrecht@usu.edu Web: http://wrdc.usu.edu The Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) is one of four regional centers funded by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture to strengthen the capacity of local citizens to guide the future of their rural communities. Each of the four Centers link the research and extension capacity of regional land-grant universities with local decision-makers to address a wide range of rural development issues. The WRDC also receives substantial support from Utah State University, Utah State University Extension and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station.