Collective Impact is working with faculty members of the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Center for Sustainable Business and Development, Department of Political Science, and Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management to conduct a research project to better understand Appalachian tourism and identify opportunities to grow tourism activities and encourage business development throughout the region. The project is funded through a competitive grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) - a federal economic development agency. The project is the largest and most comprehensive study of tourism ever conducted by the commission, which covers 205,000 square miles across 420 counties in 13 states. Results of the study will help us better understand the state of tourism of the region, new growth areas for tourism in Appalachian communities, and best practices and successful strategies to help the communities succeed. The project will use research, surveys, site visits, and focus groups as part of the research method. The project also will identify communities to use as case studies to illustrate local tourism success stories and best practices for tourism business development.
Along with 6 other community leaders from Huntington, WV, Bruce Decker participated in the four-day Center for Community Progress Leadership Institute (CPLI) at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Collective Impact was the catalyst for organizing the opportunity. CPLI is a prestigious seminar that equips community leaders with the skills they need to make positive changes in their approaches to vacant, abandoned and problem properties, tackle blight and spark revitalization. The Institute brings together delegations from multiple cities across the United States for intense leadership and technical training under the guidance of national experts. The Huntington delegation was one of 8 communities to be selected to attend this prestigious seminar focused on learning innovative strategies for the productive reuse and revitalization of vacant, abandoned, and blighted residential and commercial properties.
“My personal experience with Bruce Decker and Collective Impact has actually saved my hometown by meeting, talking about the problems, working on issues, and collectively coming up with solutions by creating a plan to alleviate substandard housing and provide quality homes for all of Wayne County. We have actively started a Neighborhood Association that is over 100 members strong and are continuously working to make not only our town, but every town in Wayne County a better place.” ~ Rose Meredith - Executive Director, Wayne County Community Services Organization, Inc., Huntington, WV
Award winning Sir Ken Robinson has presented informative and groundbreaking speeches on Changing Paradigms in Education. The RSA has produced an animated version of highlights of this presentation. Here it is!
