ACCOMPLISHMENTS & PARTNERSHIPS
The Arizona Rural Development Council (AZRDC) is working to improve the quality of life in rural Arizona. AZRDC is building partnerships and implementing projects at the local, regional, state and national level.Local
In partnership with the City of Douglas, AZRDC implemented the Douglas Home Town Competitiveness pilot site and completed a case study entitled, “Implementing Arizona Home Town Competitiveness in Douglas, Arizona.”Conducted a statewide and a regional AZHTC training academy.
Statewide
- Held a tribal convening to develop a tribal model.
- Expanded Arizona Hometown Competitiveness to Willcox and Concho.
- Developed an Arizona Hometown Competitiveness community workbook.
In partnership with Northern Arizona University, AZRDC reviewed community and economic development studies prepared for Rural Arizona from 2000 – 2004 to identify challenges and opportunities and to guide regional economic development planning.
Conducted two Rural Policy Forums (2007, 2008) reviewing Workforce Training, Affordable Housing, Recruitment and Retention of Health Care Professionals and the Economic Impact of Drug Use in Rural Arizona. Reports containing the recommendations from these two forums are available here.
In 2009 the AZRDC conducted two regional “Renewable Energy” forums to discuss the latest national and state programs available for renewable energy projects and to highlight an existing project at the local level.
National
Conducted two Rural Policy Forums (2007, 2008) reviewing Workforce Training, Affordable Housing, Recruitment and Retention of Health Care Professionals and the Economic Impact of Drug Use in Rural Arizona. Reports containing the recommendations from these two forums are available here.
In 2009 the AZRDC conducted two regional “Renewable Energy” forums to discuss the latest national and state programs available for renewable energy projects and to highlight an existing project at the local level.
AZRDC is one of 24 agencies chosen by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to participate in a new national initiative Rural People, Rural Policy. In collaboration with the Arizona Community Foundation, AZRDC secured a multi-year $100,000 grant to collaborate with other agencies in Arizona and New Mexico on building an effective Southwest Rural Policy Network. This five-year effort will create multi-state policy networks to improve the quality of life in rural America and strengthens the ability of the AZRDC to work in partnership on regional and international issues that impact rural Arizona.
AZRDC is currently partnering with USDA-Rural Development and eight State Rural Development Councils to conduct a regional convening to identify opportunities for community and economic development agencies to better deliver services to Rural America.
AZRDC is currently working with the West Regional Rural Development Center and USDA-Rural Development to develop and implement the Stronger Economic Together (SET) program to develop regional economic development strategies. Two regions in Arizona will be selected to participate.
AZRDC is currently partnering with USDA-Rural Development and eight State Rural Development Councils to conduct a regional convening to identify opportunities for community and economic development agencies to better deliver services to Rural America.
AZRDC is currently working with the West Regional Rural Development Center and USDA-Rural Development to develop and implement the Stronger Economic Together (SET) program to develop regional economic development strategies. Two regions in Arizona will be selected to participate.
