Community Economic Development Thesis Projects

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The mission of the Community Economic Development program is to build better practices and policies that serve low-income and marginalized communities around the globe. Community economic development gives people control over their economic futures by developing leadership in the poorest communities and eliminating the apathy that can result from generations of poverty and neglect.

Much of the work in these collections involve first-hand data collection, providing new empirical evidence and unique findings in the field. This research is conducted all over the world, including the United States, Mexico, Uganda, and Tanzania.

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    Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Peacemaking project
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2016-02-27) Jonas, Leslie A.; Bayon, Al
    The purpose of the Peacemaking project is to provide the Mashpee Wampanoag tribal community with a fully developed Peacemaking court, a culturally, tribal specific, court process model, including the recruitment and training of 12 to 24 Peacemakers that meets and serves the judicial needs of the tribal community. Research done found that the problems facing the community revolve around (1) The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe did not have the resources to develop and implement a Peacemaking court as an alternative dispute resolution option to our conventional tribal court. And, (2), the tribal community does not trust state court systems because they find the conventional courts limited in their knowledge of Indian rights, cultural values and social norms, too costly, time consuming, punishing and confusing. This absence of a cultural alternative in justice promotes continued, unresolved discord in the community. Research showed that the community wanted more information on Peacemaking and the establishment of a Peacemaking court for the people. The outcomes are to secure project funding, increase Peacemaking education, and awareness, recruit, train and certify Peacemakers from the community, develop a Peacemaking model (hearing process) and ultimately increase the spiritual health, wellness and community unity of the tribal people. The project goal is to fully develop and implement a Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Peacemaking Court with a culturally specific Peacemaking model to better serve the Mashpee Wampanoag people as a traditional alternative to dispute resolution with a pool of 12 to 24 Peacemakers. (Author abstract)
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    Grow Modesto Fund: increasing access to capital and training for Modesto’s low-income entrepreneurs
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2015) Hofer, Jeremy; Craig, Michele
    In today’s credit-driven and increasingly complex business environment, low income entrepreneurs struggle to obtain the financing they need to startup and grow. Too small to attract investors and business bankers, many don’t know where to turn. Traditional banking standards require at least two (profitable) years in business, strong credit history, and collateral to obtain a loan. Equity investors require quick returns in high growth industries. As a result, many of Modesto California’s microenterprises rely on high interest private loans, credit cards, and payday/title loans to start and grow their operations. Modesto’s non-profit alternative lenders have had difficulty being effective in this environment, as has project host Fresno Community Development Financial Institution (Fresno CDFI). This project aimed to establish a revolving loan fund for micro-entrepreneurs left out of mainstream financial markets through an innovative and collaborative approach that leveraged local partnerships to increase access to capital and technical assistance. After ten months of development, the Grow Modesto Fund was formally announced by Modesto’s Mayor Marsh on August 27, 2015. This paper explores the challenges and successes met by the team that developed the Fund and looks at preliminary indicators of how effective the Fund may be in growing jobs and businesses in Modesto. (Author abstract)
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    Jeter community garden and farmer’s market project
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2013-12) Osinuga, Brandon F.; Iyer, Balasubramanian
    The Jeter Community Garden and Farmer’s Market Project is a program designed for the Opelika’s Jeter Community for residents of all ages living in Opelika Alabama. The purpose of this project is to provide residents with gardening-related skills, financial resources and entrepreneurship development that will enable them to advance closer to self-employment and personal goals to give them an opportunity to become active participants in the social, political and economic richness of American life. The main purpose is to empower the Jeter community with knowledge; skills and development that they need to gain self employment and better economic opportunities in order to tackle poverty. This project is implemented in partnership with the Greater Peace Community Development Corporation of Opelika AL, for an initial period of one year. The Greater Peace Community Development Corporation (GPCDC) was setup as a public nonprofit 501(c) (3) that was created in 2000 to provide services and programs to promote financial and economic stability and improve the quality of citizens. The mission of Greater Peace CDC is to provide effective programs in community economic development that will facilitate community members with empowerment thus leading to revitalized neighborhoods in the east Alabama region. Over the years, Greater Peace CDC has shown great leadership and has demonstrated a steadfast and unyielding history of providing their professional experience to develop vital services that promote change, and our partnership to develop the Jeter Community Garden and Framer’s market will yield an abundance of fruit. (Author abstract)
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    A proposed intervention project for Zambian street girls
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2014) Bruce, Robin E.
    The purpose of this project is to change the undesirable condition of girls working on the streets and cannot obtain formal education, to a desirable condition where street girls have a safe place to develop, gain formal education and training, and are less vulnerable to sexual abuse, beatings, addiction and other social threats. A safe place will be provided for street girls to attend educational and vocational skills. This will equip them to lead a better, stable, and secure life and enable them to be productive citizens. This project will also provide income generating alternatives to the mothers (who are widows) of the girls. The community of the project will consist of the girl's mothers, local artisans, the international business community, and local NGOs. The project was initially conceptualized as collaboration between the University of Lusaka and the above mentioned community. However, because of lack of funding, slow responsiveness from the University and monitoring, the project could not be started, the milestones shifted and implementation put on hold. The results therefore have not materialized as planned and the underlying assumptions have not been verified. The Proposed Intervention project however, for Zambian street girls presented in this thesis has a greater chance to be implemented, evaluated, and measured than the initial conceptualized idea. Moreover, the viable progression and continuum as examples for this project's future states formally the focused criteria for implementation. (Author abstract)
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    Validity and importance of uniform data collection and reporting: Michigan Community Action Network statewide database project
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2013-12-01) Dillon, Amy S.; Iyer, Balasubramanian
    The statewide database project looks at the process of implementation of a statewide database system for use among a group of agencies. The Michigan Community Action Agency Association determined that the need for a uniform data collection and reporting system for Community Action agencies belonging to their association. The reasons for having a statewide database system include strengthening the Community Action network within Michigan by having a consistent form of data collection among all agencies, improving reporting to funders by having all agencies using the same system, improving customer service by having one centralized intake process to determine program eligibility. The statewide database would provide easier access for customers to all programs to help the customer, provide security and validity of all data collected, and have additional forms of checks and balances to alleviate fraudulent activity. This project will discuss the process of choosing a uniform database system, project implementation, and results. (Author abstract)
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    Socializing signage and technology courtesy zones: A community socialization project
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2013-12-03) Pettit, Donald; Iyer, Balasubramanian
    This project attempts to address the growing bullying problem in four schools in the Jeollanam-do region in South Korea through using students to create signage advertising against bullying and modeling appropriate behavior. Given the cultural and language barriers, the methodology chosen was to support the growth of social capital within the school community, as bullying and isolation were considered symptoms of a growing decline of social capital. Students were selected to participate in this program, which involved creating signage, monitoring bullying behavior and training stakeholders about bullying. The signage was intended to serve as the cornerstone of a larger marketing campaign done by the students to address social issues within the school and emphasized empowering students to make full use of their talents at addressing their own issues. The result of the three-month program was that observed bullying behavior did decline, although it was likely this reduction was through the increased training and awareness, rather than behavioral modification. (Author abstract)
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    Opportunity Works in Neighborhoods
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2013) Piatt, Faith; Iyer, Balasubramanian
    The Village of Walden is facing an affordable housing crisis, leaving many residents in an extremely precarious, unsustainable situation, mirroring the nationwide crisis that has been amplified since the housing market crash of 2008. Hundreds of local families, particularly those making less than the area median income (AMI), are at risk of losing their homes and being displaced, which threatens to destabilize the entire community. Despite the clear need for a sustainable solution, there have been large obstacles preventing pragmatic action. According to the statewide Affordable Housing Report, the “Not In My Back Yard” or “NIMBY” ideology has been the prime hindrance to progress on the affordable housing front. Opponents of affordable housing have regularly used the “NIMBY” rallying cry to fight housing projects aimed at assisting low income families, stating that the introduction of such projects would flood the area with undesirables, leading to increased crime, poverty, and destabilization, despite lacking empirical evidence to back these claims. To combat these misconceptions, we will create the OWN program (Opportunity Works in Neighborhoods) by partnering with local organizations, which will both educate the local populace through an aggressive and creative marketing campaign, and provide affordable housing to those in need, strengthening the community on multiple fronts. (Author abstract)
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    Colorado River individual development accounts (CRIDA)
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2013-12-08) Van Ella, Lisa; Iyer, Balasubramanian
    As post-secondary education fees continue to rise, more young individuals are finding it difficult to obtain the resources to further their education. Educational attainment may be a contributing factor in lower income levels. An individual development account program, such as the Colorado River Individual Development Account (CRIDA), could contribute to alleviating the problem. The CRIDA program focuses on matching funds saved for post-secondary education by the youth of the target community of Lake Havasu City, Arizona and the surrounding Mohave County communities known as the Colorado River region. Asset and income poverty percentages are higher in the county than the state and national average. Educational attainment is far below that of the state and national percentages, as well. Studies indicate college graduates earn significantly more than those with only a high school diploma. Arizona’s four public universities have posted the highest tuition increases in the nation over the past five years. Most families in Mohave County have little hope of sending their children to college without taking on substantial debt. CRIDA will help young individuals establish a savings goal and earnings plan, strengthen their money management skills, and obtain matched donor savings. These outcomes will lead to enrollment into a post-secondary educational institution and eventually lead to economic independence and decreased need for income assistance. (Author abstract)
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    The Virginia Avenue revitalization project
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2013-12-03) Thomas-Winterberg, Courtney; Iyer, Balasubramanian
    This project aims to revitalize the Virginia Avenue Corridor, a former central business district located in Cumberland, Maryland. The area is characterized by blighted neighborhoods, abandoned property, criminal activity, and community disinvestment. In order to transform the community to a safe, vibrant neighborhood that provides a mix of housing, business, and employment opportunities that facilitates civic engagement and promotes community pride; the project focuses on improving the physical conditions of the community, increasing community engagement, and decreasing crime. The key outputs and activities identified for the project were the acquisition, demolition, and renovation of property; community leadership training; beautification projects; community meetings with local elected officials and representatives from the police department; and the establishment of a neighborhood crime watch. The planned activities were designed to not only achieve the project’s short-term outcomes but also to complement and reinforce each other, increasing the likelihood that community change would occur. While the project is still ongoing, the progress towards the three short-term outcomes-improved community conditions, increased community engagement, and decreased crime, shows that the project is on track to achieving the intermediate and long-term outcomes. This thesis presents information on the approach employed to revitalize the former central business district, engage the community, and outlines the lessons learned. (Author abstract)
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    Los Angeles County gang reduction project
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2013-12-08) Thorsen, Sunee; Iyer, Balasubramanian
    Within Los Angeles County Latinos are disproportionately involved with gangs relative to the proportion of Latinos within the Los Angeles County population. Children of low-income Hispanic single-mothers and immigrant parents living in areas of concentrated poverty face multiple risk factors to gang involvement. By improving income levels these parents will be able to better provide for their children financially. A reduction in hours work as a result of improved earnings potential, along with improved parental capacity will in turn help to improve educational attainment and reduce delinquency among Latino youth. Project outcomes include an increase in skills and knowledge to improve earnings potential, improved access to and knowledge of available resources, community members that are empowered to create their own employment opportunities, and improved parental capacity to provide the structure and support needed for inter-generational upward mobility. While progress towards these outcomes has been made, project outcomes have not yet been achieved due to delays related to capacity limits. Continued partner and community engagement as well as improving capacity by expanding resources will be needed to successfully attain outcomes. (Author abstract)
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    G.O.D.S. Place identification project
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2013-12) Young, Gayle; Iyer, Balasubramanian
    The need for identification (ID) of some type is crucial these days. ID is needed for opening a bank account, obtaining housing benefits, getting medical care, securing employment and exercising ones voting rights. The primary motivation for undertaking Giving Others Divine Services (G.O.D.S.) Place ID Project is to help those in need obtain ID and help them gain an identity and secure access to basic human needs and essential services. The target community is the homeless, seniors, youth and the needy in Douglas County, Georgia. As a result, of increasing population coinciding with the downturn in the economy, poverty levels have been exploding in the county. This in turn has made it difficult for the target community to obtain an ID. The project aims to increase awareness of the need for ID among the needy and help the participants obtain an ID. The project will secure funds through grants and donations and secure ID’s for 50 to 100 of the most needy in the country and will do this in a manner that ensures the project sustains itself beyond the project duration. By helping the target population put in place documentation and obtain an ID, the project will have a positive and long-lasting effect not only on the participants’ welfare but also on the community. It is critical that a project of this caliber be implemented and funded in order to build a stronger community. (Author abstract)
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    Social attitudes project
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2013-12-15) Lopez, Armando N.; Iyer, Balasubramanian
    The Social Attitudes Project will address parents’ favorable attitudes towards anti-social behavior by exposing ten parents to professionals in the field of gang prevention and victims aiming to reduce gang involvement. Participants will be selected from the Weed and Seed South Pomona Target Area and have been identified by collaborative partner as a high risk family for gang involvement, anti-social attitudes and behaviors. Weed and Seed is a community-based, multi-agency approach to law enforcement, crime prevention and neighborhood restoration. The project will seek residents within this community, who are affected by low-social economic status and aim to improve their conditions. The Prevention Intervention and Treatment Sub Committee, contracted service providers, and Community Liaison will refer families to the project. The sessions will be held at the Philadelphia Safe Haven. The project will bring experts in the field of gangs, local police, state parole and community based organizations. Parents will have an opportunity to confer with professionals and stakeholders. The project will increase awareness among parents struggling with at risk youth. The project aims to improve quality of life, leading to a safe and healthy community. This will be achieved by increasing awareness and access to community resources. (Author abstract)
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    The MIDAS touch to save a dwindling community: Microenterprise individual development account services
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2013-12-08) DuBose, Sharon E.; Iyer, Balasubramanian
    MIDAS(Microenterprise Individual Development Account Services) is one Community Economic Development project in a comprehensive community plan to address employment, outmigration, and poverty in Warren County, Georgia. The population, especially ages 20 to 44 years old, has been on a steady decline, losing 12.52% of the population between 1970 and 2010 (U. S. Census Bureau, 2011), with a current population of 5,834. Young adults leave to obtain post-secondary education and employment, leaving behind an aging community and decreasing pool of educated potential workers that could attract businesses. This outmigration negatively impacts the economy of this community suffering 17% unemployment and over 27% poverty. CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority, Inc. and other partners have implemented MIDAS to provide Microenterprise and financial education, mentoring, and a $2 to $1 savings match for eight low-income high school students participating in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy at Warren County High School. Their savings and match will be used to launch or expand a business in Warren County, helping them remain a resident while earning an income and developing a career. MIDAS is one project in a comprehensive plan to support entrepreneurship, attract business and industry, and provide employment opportunities for community residents. (Author abstract)
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    North suburban permanent supportive housing
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2013-12-08) Hotaling, Jessica; Iyer, Balasubramanian
    The need for the North Suburban Affordable Housing Program stems from the recent Williams vs. Quinn and Ligas vs. Hamos Consent Decrees which state that individuals with developmental/physical disabilities or mental illness who have been living in nursing homes or institutionalized housing should be allowed to live in a community-based setting. As a result, an estimated 5,000 individuals inappropriately placed in institutional housing in the State of Illinois will require affordable permanent supportive housing, be at risk for homelessness and lack needed supportive services due to the deficiency of affordable permanent supportive units available, creating a financial and social burden for local communities. Housing Opportunity Development Corporation will acquire foreclosed properties for development in the Village of Skokie, IL sign Memorandum’s of Understanding for supportive service delivery with three local social service agencies and ensure property management’s prompt response to maintenance requests. Major outcomes are: acquisition and rehab of 24 housing units, referral of tenants to local social service agencies for supportive services and provision of comprehensive property management for all 24 units. To date, 6 units have been acquired and a contract has been signed to purchase 4 additional units. The remaining outcomes have yet to be realized.(Author abstract)
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    Microenterprise development: A targeted focus on helping Hispanics achieve higher earning potential through business development
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2013-12-07) Savage, Timothy D.; Iyer, Balasubramanian
    Hispanics in Salt Lake County, Utah represent the second largest demographic however experience greater poverty than do other demographics primarily due to their limited access to resources. With fewer opportunities for employment due to increasing political pressure (i.e. e-verify) many undocumented and mixed status families are struggling to find employment and have a diminished access to the safety net that other poor demographics use. Although microeconomic development (MED) efforts have generally proved to be somewhat ineffective in developed countries due to poor aim/design and a safety net that is generally available to impoverished individuals. The author proposes however that MED can be effective in a developed country for undocumented and mixed –status Hispanics because of their parallel to populations living in the third-world. To operationalize his theory the author proposes a MED project in SLCO, UT for undocumented and mixed-status Hispanics and is able to produce limited results with mixed findings, however is encouraged that continued research will ultimately indicate the validity, efficiency and effectiveness of his theory.(Author abstract)
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    How island and community wind projects can stimulate sustainable economic development through energy independence: Isle au Haut, Maine, USA.
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2012-12) Michaud, Gilbert L.; Jacobs, Eric L.
    Resting in Maine's Penobscot Bay, the island community of Isle au Haut is one of only fifteen remaining year round island communities along the state's seacoast. Unfortunately, the community's electric rates are upwards of six times state and national averages, in a time where Isle au Haut is experiencing employment troubles, general poverty, and a senescent population. This study considers a locally-owned renewable energy project in the effort to engage community members on the planning and evolution of wind development. Specifically in the form of a cooperative arrangement, the Isle au Haut Energy Cooperative project proposal aims to diagnose the feasibility of pursuing wind power development on the island to provide an alternate solution to the area's current expensive and unreliable power sources, and combat some of the town's largest societal concerns for the future. By striving to be a leader in the rural green economy, the proposal's focus is to stimulate community involvement and community change to preserve the island's way of life while enhancing economic opportunities and the social well-being of the area. Via the market based community economic development approach, the democratic governance structure of the cooperative promotes collective action in the attempt to increase energy security and provide financial benefits to the geographically challenged municipality of Isle au Haut, Maine, USA. (Author abstract)
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    Little Big Horn College: Ram Shop
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 1999) Pretty On Top-Holeman, Velma
    Little Big Horn College proposes to open a student college bookstore on campus, called the "RAM SHOP". The objective of creating this store will be to promote and enable American Indian economic development on the Crow Reservation. This store will be operated by college business students and supervised by LBHC faculty. The LBHC Business Department will coordinate the recruitment, selection and monitoring of the students in conjunction with the student services department. This will be a student developed and managed project. The location of the Ram Shop will be accessible for the students as well as the community. The project will be organized to provide learning materials and services such as photocopying, faxing, development of business cards, letterhead, etc. A variety of snacks will also be made available for the customers. The Ram Shop will meet the needs of the students, faculty, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) employees, Crow Tribal Administration (CTA) employees and the surrounding community. An economic development conference will take place in conjunction with Little Big Horn College, the Crow Tribal 107 Committee—the tribal economic development committee—and the Theodore and Vivian Johnson Foundation. This will be provided free to the community, and held at the new Crow Tribal Multi-Purpose Building.
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    Project H.E.A.L. (Healing Through Empowerment Awareness and Leadership Development): Preparing court involved youth for self-sustainability
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2012-06-17) Byrd-El, Terrence; Nemon, Melissa L.
    Project H.E.A.L ( Healing through Empowerment Awareness and Leadership Development, is a project that is designed to increase the sustainability and reduce recidivism among Court –involved youth and youth who are at high risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system. This project primarily target young African-American males between the ages of 13 to 24, within the city of Syracuse, NY. Currently these youth experience the highest unemployment rate in New York State, and experience high levels of poverty. African-American youth in this community are at a much higher risk of becoming incarcerated than white youth due to a lack of resources; such as family support services, educational and career development opportunities, and they lack the opportunity to participate in Alternative to Detention community based programming which is a cost effective method of reforming youth. This project was designed to create a network of resources within the community, targeting both traditional and non-traditional institutions that may offer valuable services to the youth and their families. The primary focus is to improve the unemployment rate among African-American youth, increase their academic achievements; develop youth into selfsufficient and sustainable individuals through employment, vocational and trade training and entrepreneurial training. (Author Abstract)
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    The role of education and viable job skills in raising the success rate of community reentry for female prisoners
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2012-06-17) Hayes, Anna C.; Nemon, Melissa L.
    Incarcerated women in New Hampshire face a plethora of issues and challenges prior to, during and after incarceration. The New Hampshire Project for Raising the Success Rate of Community Reentry for Female Prisoners, here to referred to as NHP, proposes to increase a female offender’s chance at successfully reentering into her community after prison. New Hampshire’s female offenders continue to recidivate due to a lack of education, poor employability, substance abuse and untreated mental illness. This project aims to increase access to education, increase positive life skills and expand the employability of female offenders. Eventually I and other project designers decided to focus on a preliminary advocacy phase of the project which aimed to identify service agencies, funding sources and community education opportunities which create a foundation for the active rehabilitation of the project. Once this phase is successfully complete, the rehabilitation component will commence. The ultimate goal is to help these women build healthy, self-sufficient life. (Author Abstract)
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    Frederiksted Cultural Business Incubator
    (Southern New Hampshire University, 2012-06-17) Holloway, Cusa; Nemon, Melissa L.
    The economic viability of the historic town of Frederiksted has been on a decline for many years. Reinvigorating the entrepreneurial spirit within the residents of this community is one way to create an avenue to spark economic viability and sustainability. The implementation of the incubator will specialize in preparing entrepreneurs to retail their locally made products, which can lay the foundation of enticing businesses and residents to migrate back to the historic town. The Frederiksted Cultural Business Incubator will serve as a year-long informal business university mentoring the entrepreneurs through the process of launching a new business. The incubator serves to provide seminars, options to raise start-up capital and technical assistance. By presenting the entrepreneurs with readily available services and programs, they will be able to launch sustainable businesses and empower the rest the community to start taking an interest in rebuilding the historic town to showcase the rich history and culture of the Virgin Islands. (Author Abstract)
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