CEDS Committee Topics

Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak all CEDS Campaign Committee meetings and gatherings will cease until July of 2021. We'll be adding resources and updates to this site periodically. Stay healthy and safe!

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) CDC

Your Invitation To Respond

The time is now. Help shape your future, and your community's future, by responding to the 2020 Census.

Most households received their invitation to respond to the 2020 Census between March 12 – 20. These official Census Bureau mailings will include detailed information and a Census ID for completing the Census online.

In addition to an invitation to respond, some households will receive a paper questionnaire (sometimes known as the census form). You do not need to wait for your paper questionnaire to respond to the Census.

https://2020census.gov/

2020 Census | United States Census Bureau

Cybersecurity

Take an Active Role in Your Safety Go to Ready.gov and search for cyberattack. Download the FEMA app to get more information about preparing for a cyberattack. The internet can be a scary place. Protect your data and information both at home and at work.

Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Use encrypted (secure) internet communications.
Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication (two methods of verification).
Create backup files.
Watch for suspicious activity.
When in doubt, don’t click.
Do not provide personal information.
Protect your home Wi-Fi network.

it is time to be Ready.gov.

1. Get acquainted with the following FEMA programs. The goal is to 1) create community awareness, and 2) implement into the community.

- - NTED: First Responders Training (https://cdp.dhs.gov/)
  - Ready.gov Business (https://www.ready.gov/business)
    - - There is much that a business leader can do to prepare his or her organization for the most likely hazards. The Ready Business program helps business leaders make a preparedness plan to get ready for these hazards.
  - Ready.gov National Preparedness Month/Prepareathon (https://www.ready.gov/september)
    - - National Preparedness Month (NPM), recognized each September, provides an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year. This NPM will focus on planning, with an overarching theme: Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How.

2. Also this month, we want to circle back around to our Environmental Scans and discuss the opportunities for targeted outreach.

- - Pay Equality
  - Population Specializations vs Industry
  - Workforce Target Audience per County

3. Lastly, the CEDS Campaign Committee will initiate sub-committees per CEDS Objective and get to work!

Summer Sizzler

It's hot! Please pass along the FEMA flyers, and you can save lives by helping people become prepared for extreme heat and weather events. Visit here for more information or go to The Southwest Region page.

Hopefully, everyone was able to enjoy some neighborhood fun for National Night Out. Let us know how your event went and if you would like some help planning for next year.

Lastly, in August, we want to talk about being prepared in case of an active shooter event. There are available programs, and we would like to know which ones you are participating in and what seems to work best in your organization. A mass shooting is an unnecessary tragedy for a community to endure; therefore, it is vital to have a plan to be prepared in case of a terrible event of this nature.

July 2019 Discussions

Five Year Plan: 2019-2014 Maintenance Schedule

The CEDS Campaign Committee has assigned a task force for each of the 8 CEDS objectives. Committee members volunteered to serve when voting on the CEDS. If you haven't volunteered to serve yet, contact Renee Dycus at info@southwestarshines.org.

We are in the process of making the maintenance schedule and printing the CEDS document. We will be utilizing the Blog on southwestarshines.org more often so please check it regularly.

Ready.gov Neighborhood https://www.ready.gov/neighbors

Neighbors Helping Neighbors empowers community leaders to involve and educate individuals from their community about simple steps one can take to become more prepared. Forty-six percent of individuals expect to rely a great deal on people in their neighborhood for assistance within the first 72 hours after a disaster. When the whole community comes together to respond to and help recover from these emergencies - neighbor helping neighbor - we can often meet the needs of everyone.

The Neighbor Helping Neighbor approach seeks to support state, tribal and local agencies, civic organizations, faith-based groups and other community organizations that serve the whole community. FEMA works to provide these organizations with additional tools and preparedness training opportunities so they can become more prepared.

This is a (GI) General Instruction class. If you would like to host one in your community please send your request to info@southwestarshines.og.

June 2019 Discussions

While we finalize the 2019-2024 CEDS document take a look at the following programs and strategize how to incorporate them into your communities. PDF's are available on the Southwest Region Data Assets table under the Ready.gov tab.

National Night Out

"National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas celebrates on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more."

Ready.gov Wildfires

Wildfires can ruin homes and cause injuries or death to people and animals. A wildfire is an unplanned fire that burns in a natural area such as a forest, grassland, or prairie.

Ready.gov Extreme Heat

Extreme Heat often results in the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards. In most of the United States, extreme heat is defined as a long period (2 to 3 days) of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees. In extreme heat, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. This can lead to death by overworking the human body.

Volunteer Fire Corps

Since its start in 2004, Fire Corps has helped fire and EMS departments in 48 states to build more capacity by engaging community volunteers to assist in a variety of non-emergency roles. These community volunteers can make a real difference for their local department, both by expanding the services a department can offer and by enabling first responders to focus more on training and emergencies. Fire Corps is a partner program under the Citizen Corps initiative and is administered by the National Volunteer Fire Council.

May 2019 Questions

17) How can we capitalize on our regional economy?

18) How can we improve regional recreational opportunities?

19) What existing resources can be cultivated for economic development that are not already?

20) In your opinion, what needs to happen to create more housing and or better housing in our region?

21) Are any large regional employers in danger or vulnerable to closing?

22) Identify any industries that are in decline, or in danger of decline?

Please follow the link to answer any of this month’s questions. All participation is voluntary and you have the right to remain anonymous.

May Discussions

We have identified the prime goal and supporting objectives that we will use to develop the strategy plan for the CEDS document. Please note that these are in addition to what we already do regularly. We have accessed each category and have have identified a point person(s) within our committee, we will be reaching out soon.

Goal

Reversing Population Decline

Objectives

Attract Tourism

Health & Wellness

Promote Small Business

Transportation Expansion

Resilience & Preparedness Outreach

Manufacturing Awareness Campaign

Workforce Soft Skills Training w/Youth Focus

Create Housing Solutions & Planned Neighborhoods

At the last meeting we drafted a five year vision plan for the CEDS Committee:

“Increase outreach and connect communities by implementing and utilizing existing resources and programs to enable and strengthen communities, by maximizing impact and minimizing efforts while enhancing regional readiness and the quality of life.”

If you have any feedback shoot an email over to info@southwestarshines.org.

April 2019

Understanding how to best help your region relies upon having the right tools. Explore the following links to gain useful information and insight.

Learn about the EDA’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

Get familiar with AEDC’s Arkansas Global Economy Business Resources.

NADO Webinar Series: Know Your Region: A Template for Future Prosperity

EDA and Harvard’s Identifying Regional Clusters

Stats America's Calculating Innovation Capacity

EDA and RIAN’s Regional Venture Development Organizations

Stats America’s Using the Regional Investment Portfolio Tool

EDA’s Incubator Management Practices and Access Tools

CEDS Committee Questions April 2019

Questions:

What areas in our region are experiencing broadband issues?

What options are available for regional economic diversity?

Please follow this link to answer any of this month’s questions.

All participation is voluntary and you have the right to remain anonymous.

Broadband: NACo launches Broadband Coverage App.

The National Association of Counties (NACo), the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) and Rural LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) have partnered to launch an app that asks citizens to help fill in broadband coverage gaps.

https://civsourceonline.com/2019/03/25/naco-launches-broadband-coverage-app/

CEDS Committee Questions March 2019

Can you give some examples of how our citizens are creating a business-friendly regional climate in Southwest Arkansas?

What is your opinion on ways to improve the local environment for small businesses?

Can you identify any regional opportunities our workforce department could utilize?

Please follow this link to answer any of this month’s questions.

All participation is voluntary and you have the right to remain anonymous.

CEDS Committee Questions Feb 2019

Economic Development

What resources exist to aid in economic development?
What is the financial health of our town squares and downtown commerce? What is working? What isn’t working? What issues affect regional downtowns and town squares? What support do you have or need?

Workforce

What training programs are available to retool regional workers?
What training programs are likely to be in-demand in the near future?
What job skills are currently needed and what skills are anticipated in the next five years?

Education Query

What technology courses are currently being offered and what types do you expect to offer in the next five years?

Answer Questions Here

Blight is a problem that every community faces. We are gathering information to assist our local governments in ways to combat this issue, see below. Stay tuned, more to come on this developing topic. SADA Initiative

2018 Regional Statistics

CEDS Strategy Questions 1 & 2

#1. Compare the three sections on the left and identify fields that need more educational resources or apprenticeship training through the Workforce program.

#2. How do you recommend targeting and attracting industries that match the lines of work that the population is currently specialized in?

Follow this link to submit your answers.

CEDS Strategy Questions 3, 4, 5

3) What can your community do to target and develop resources to meet the needs of the most At-Risk Populations you serve?

4) Do you think advocating for fair and equal wages for women will have a positive impact on the economy? Do you think local employers will support proactive initiatives to create and facilitate equal pay between the sexes in the region?

5) How do suggest the Workforce increase efforts to serve the most At-Risk populations in each county?

Follow this link to submit your thoughts.

CEDS Questions and Responses Archive

See what everyone has to say!

November 2018

Establishing Information Networks

Attention committee members: Please take some time to nurture your CEDS Campaign Committee Communication Tree. Think of who your active communities members are and invite them into our discussions. We have made tremendous improvements on communications within our region this past year. Don't lose momentum! We can make great changes faster with more support.

Ready.gov Youth Preparedness (General Instruction Course)

FEMA created the Youth Preparedness Council (YPC) in 2012 to bring together young leaders who are interested in supporting disaster preparedness and making a difference in their communities, by completing disaster preparedness projects nationally and locally. The YPC supports FEMA’s commitment to involve America’s youth in preparedness-related activities. It also provides an avenue to engage young people by taking into account their perspectives, feedback, and opinions. YPC members meet with FEMA staff throughout their term to provide input on strategies, initiatives, and projects. YPC members also attend the annual YPC Summit in Washington, DC, meet periodically with FEMA representatives, and work to complete a number of emergency preparedness projects. The YPC members are selected based on their dedication to public service, their efforts in making a difference in their communities, and their potential to expand their impact as national supporters of youth preparedness.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

A CEDS emerges from a continuing planning process developed with broad based and diverse stakeholder participation that addresses the economic problems and potential of a region. The CEDS should include information about how and to what extent stakeholder input and support was solicited. Information on how the planning organization collaborated with its diverse set of stakeholders (including the public sector, private interests, non-profits, educational institutions, and community organizations) in the development of the CEDS and the formation of the Strategy Committee should be documented. For updated CEDS, information on how these critical stakeholder groups contributed to the plan’s implementation should be noted. Documented evidence of these strategic partnerships strengthens a CEDS by demonstrating the commitment of local partners to coordinate work and investment across the region, helps to effectively target local funds and private sector resources, and legitimizes the CEDS as a product representing the region as a whole. Information should also be included that describes the planning organization’s efforts to regularly engage partners and stakeholders on monitoring progress on the CEDS and to keep the plan both current and relevant.Planners should take care to build stakeholder participation and buy-in for long term planning initiatives. Stakeholders need to understand how they fit into the picture of regional economic competitiveness and, more important, how engagement in a CEDS process will benefit their communities and organizations. Consider using the CEDS as an opportunity to illustrate how the region’s stakeholders are linked together. Illustrate the business to business linkages (clusters, supplier networks, value chains) and the social connections (social networks, places of worship, investor relationships). In addition, consider identifying opportunities for short-term, medium-term, and long-term activities in the CEDS. Stakeholder engagement can be maintained effectively and expanded to new stakeholders through short-term “wins.”

EDA Partnership and the CEDS

The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) contributes to effective economic development in America’s communities and regions through a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process. Economic development planning – as implemented through the CEDS – is not only a cornerstone of the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) programs, but successfully serves as a means to engage community leaders, leverage the involvement of the private sector, and establish a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration. A key element in the process is the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee (Strategy Committee).1 Established by the planning organization, the Strategy Committee is the principal facilitator of the CEDS process and is responsible for developing and updating the CEDS. The Strategy Committee should broadly represent the main economic interests of the region.

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