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Western Rural Development Center
Presented byDon E. Albrecht
DirectorWestern Rural Development
Center
Engaging the Future
• WRDC Strategic PlanWRDC 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
Alaska Idaho Oregon
Arizona Montana Utah
California Nevada Washington
Colorado New Mexico Wyoming
Hawaii
WRDC – Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension
• WRDC Strategic PlanWRDC Strategic Plan– 200+ participants representing:
• Extension• Education• Research• Federal, state, tribal and local governments• Nonprofit organizations• Private business sector
WRDC – Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension
Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010
• WRDC Strategic PlanWRDC Strategic Plan– Three key priorities emerged:
1. Enhance Human Capacity through People-Based Rural Development
2. Create Vibrant Rural Communities through Place-Based Rural Development
3. Promote Sustainable Natural Resource Development
WRDC – Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension
Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010
• WRDC Strategic PlanWRDC Strategic Plan1. 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
WRDC – Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension
Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010
• WRDC Strategic PlanWRDC Strategic Plan2. 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
WRDC – Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension
Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010
• WRDC Strategic PlanWRDC Strategic PlanWith 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
WRDC – Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension
Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010
• WRDC Strategic PlanWRDC Strategic Plan3. 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
WRDC – Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension
Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010
• WRDC Strategic PlanWRDC Strategic PlanTo 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
WRDC – Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension
Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010
• WRDC Strategic PlanWRDC Strategic PlanTwo 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
WRDC – Hosted by Utah State University and Utah State University Extension
Presented at WEDA/WRPLC Meeting – California – April 8, 2010
Don E. AlbrechtDirectorWestern Rural Development
CenterUtah State University8335 Old Main HillLogan UT 84322-8335
Tel: 435.797.9732E-mail: [email protected]: http://wrdc.usu.edu
Western Rural Development CenterEngaging the Future
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.
