Podcasts about rural development institute

When it comes to rural communities, there is no cookie-cutter approach to developing economic strategies. In this podcast, Darrell Moore talks about how the Center for South Georgia Regional Impact (SGRI) connects Valdosta State University's resources to the needs of communities across the region. During the past four years, the SGRI has utilized the services of VSU's faculty, staff, and students to complete more than 150 projects. Ranging in size and scope of complexity, projects have included community logos and website development, translation of documents for foreign industry recruitment, and assisting with the Georgia 2020 Census count. In partnership with the Governor's Rural Strike Team, the SGRI recently hosted the inaugural Rural Development Institute to assist Georgia's rural communities (populations of less than 50,000) develop strategic plans for economic prosperity.The three-day event, which took place on the campus of Valdosta State University, included more than 40 economic development, city, county, and community leaders from Bacon, Crawford, Dawson, Lanier, Mitchell, Seminole, Twiggs, and Worth counties.Using a team concept, each community was required to have representation from the development authority, city, and county. Additional team members included business leaders and representatives from school systems, chambers, and other community entities.  Before attending the institute, teams completed a readiness index to evaluate their community on various pillars of economic development, including leadership, industry recruitment, infrastructure, education, demographics, and quality of life. Session highlights included content experts and consultants discussing various topics, including workforce, manufacturing, retail as a catalyst for economic growth, downtown redevelopment, rural tourism strategies, and collaboration with elected officials. Planting seeds for ideas and identifying available resources, after each session, community partners worked with mentors to reflect on lessons learned and brainstorm ways to implement similar programs within their community. During the final session, in collaboration with their mentors, community members identified 15 to 30 potential projects, with the SGRI committing to assist with one or two projects per county. Moore said, helping with some immediate wins, "Hopefully, they go to number three, four, and five, and have continuous community improvement."Future projects include strategic planning, housing, website development, marketing and video, industrial site evaluations, retail recruitment, and tourism efforts.For more information, contact the Center for SGRI at 229-333-5800.Join us next time as we continue to promote South Georgia as a great place to live, work, play, and visit.Subscribe to South Georgia Insider (monthly e-newsletter) and follow South Georgia Business on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.  

Wayne Kelly is from the Rural Development Institute at Brandon University, and today he is talking to Rural Spark about the urgent need for broadband Internet in rural Canada and what communities can do to help make it happen. New to the pod? Every week Helen Murphy, a rural newspaper editor and entrepreneur, invites guests to share fresh thinking, success stories and lessons learned. Be sure to subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things rural innovation! Thanks for listening!

Access to broadband internet in rural Canada is spotty at best. However, much depends on it. From emergency communications, to economic development projects, to social cohesion, internet in rural areas can open up a myriad of opportunities. In this episode, we explore everything from the history of broadband in rural Canada, to current situation, to community-based efforts to provide broadband access. You will hear from Greg Lay, former mayor of Kaslo in BC, Bob Annis, former director of the Rural Development Institute at Brandon University in Manitoba, Wayne Kelly a researcher currently working at the RDI, Meghan Wrathall, a student at Brandon University, and Dr. Christopher Horsetief from BC who shares a personal story about the importance of broadband internet access in a rural emergency.

We talk with Dr. Bill Ashton, the director of the Rural Development Institute at Brandon University, which recently received funding for a two-year project on rural innovation.

This plenary session provided updates and new analysis of aid from three emerging superpowers – China, India and Brazil – from three leading experts. Dr. Rani Mullen is Director, Indian Development Cooperation Research and Senior Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research in New Delhi. Dr. Tongquan Sun is an Associate Professor at the Rural Development Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) where he researches Chinese and international development assistance. Dr Sean Burges is a Lecturer in International Relations at the School of Politics and International Relations at the ANU. His research interests cover the area of non-traditional aid, with a particular focus on Brazil. Powerpoint slides are available here: https://devpolicy.crawford.anu.edu.au/australasian-aid-and-international-development-policy-workshop/abstracts-presentations-and-papers