On June 11-12, 2013, the National Association of Development Organizations, in conjunction with the National Association of Counties (http://www NULL.naco NULL.org), the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (http://www NULL.hud NULL.gov), and the Delta Regional Authority (http://www NULL.dra NULL.gov), hosted the “Growing Stronger in the Delta” forum in Memphis, Tennessee.  This event provided training and peer learning opportunities for participants to learn how to grow stronger, healthier, more equitable communities in the Delta, driven by economic development strategies based on unique competitive advantages.

Through a partnership with USDA Rural Development, the network of community foundations in Missouri has undertaken a collaborative effort to examine how community wealth is captured, maintained, and transferred, and to identify opportunities to retain wealth through quality economic and community development initiatives. This presentation discussed the role of foundations in place-based economic development initiatives.  Click the links below to download the presentations (PDF):

• Jill Arnold Blickhan, Executive Director, Community Foundation of the Quincy Area (Illinois)
• Mary R. Hinde, President and CEO, Community Foundation of Northwest Missouri
• Janie Dunning, Missouri State Director, USDA Rural Development
• Moderator: Spencer Lucker, Digital Communications Manager, Delta Regional Authority