Catalog Description | CET Brochure
Getting Started | Contact Information | CED Faculty

Rural communities throughout Texas and the nation are facing economic challenges, including the loss of jobs, incomes, and population.  Improving local economies is complicated, largely because it is difficult for volunteers to access knowledge and resources necessary for improvement.  Communities in Economic Transition (CET) overcomes these hurdles by matching the needs of communities with research-based educational programs of Texas AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System.

CET is designed to support community-based planning for economic diversification and local-area entrepreneurship targeted at business, jobs, income, and public revenue enhancement.  The educational experience conveys the need and skills for developing:
–Coordinated integrated planning and implementation through strategic plans that incorporate multiple economic and social objectives, cross-cut and integrate “tracts”, or diversify sector efforts.
–Baseline  data and evaluation benchmarks that measure progress, adjust plans, reflect on lessons learned, and celebrate success.

Individual mentors from the AgriLife Extension faculty provide a continual dedicated resource and communication channel for participating communities.  Faculty will support CET communities by providing data and analyses, assisting with implementation of best practices, providing technical assistance, and sharing resources.  Faculty and community leaders will work together to formulate strategies that will help grow local economies.

Within an environment that fosters collaborative learning, action, and accountability, a select list of high potential possibilities are explored. Within each, timely, research-based information covers trends, assessments, alternative strategies, product/market development, available resources, and needed skills.  The first workshop initiates action in one or more of five economic development strategies proven to transform local economies through job and business venture creation and the enhancement of related community resources.  Subsequent annual workshops include sharing community success stories, best practices, lessons learned, and project plans.

Two participants from each community will attend the following workshops on these economic strategies:

* Entrepreneurship
* Diversified and Value-Added Agribusinesses
* Business Retention and Expansion
* Tourism
* Community Resources and Workforce