SRDC releases results from disaster preparation for disadvantaged populations evaluation
June 16, 2010
Not everyone has the resources to prepare for, cope with, and recover from disasters. Factors such as medical challenges, limited financial resources, language barriers, limited access to transportation, and numerous socioeconomic aspects impact a disaster’s effect on households and communities. To gain clarity on how best to provide vulnerable households and communities with needed knowledge, tools and capacity for disaster response, the Southern Rural Development Center, in partnership with land-grant university Extension educators in five key states, conducted community-based field assessments to explore disaster awareness and preparedness among 10 strategically selected communities in Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
In its newly released reports, the SRDC evaluates how well the resources from FEMA’s Emergency Preparedness Demonstration (EPD) Project prepare communities to address the unique needs facing local vulnerable audiences during times of disasters. The brief report is a four-page executive summary that overviews the project, while the full report offers extended details along with tables and other resources.
To access both reports and learn more about this initiative, visit Emergency Preparedness Initiative.
SRDC Data Center updated with Southern Region State and County Profiles
Profiles from every county in the 13 southern states are now updated with the latest demographic, education, social and economic data. State level data—overall and by metro and noncore areas of the state—are provided as well. The data in most profiles are presented over 2-3 points in time—1990, 2000, and 2010.
Read More | February 1, 2012
NIF releases economic security report
The National Issues Forums has released a new report, "Public Thinking about Economic Security: How Should We Take Charge of Our Future," that analyzes the results of a series of citizen discussions about economic security that took place from Sept. 2010 to April 2011 in 33 states, including nine from the Southern region. Find out what these citizens thought about self-disciplined spending, supporting local businesses and our national debt. Download the full report.
USDA invites applications for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is accepting applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill).
Read More | January 23, 2012
Investing in mobile broadband will promote job growth
Rural Cellular Association Leading reports that economists Rob Shapiro and Kevin Hassett released a study, which shows that investments and innovation in the transition from 3G to 4G technologies could add more than 231,000 new jobs to the U.S. economy in less than a year.
Read More | January 23, 2012
SRDC pilots ReadyCommunity disaster preparedness initiative
Six communities across the country will serve as pilot sites for ReadyCommunity, a national initiative led by the Southern Rural Development Center to assist rural places with disaster planning and response.
Read More | January 11, 2012
Nominations for 2012 Bonnie Teater Community Development Award due March 2
This year's Bonnie Teater Community Development Educator Lifetime Achievement Award will honor an administrator, specialist or agent in the Southern Region who has made significant contributions to the Extension community development for at least 10 years. Named in honor of Ms. Teater, an SRDC staff member for more than 30 years, the award comes with a $500 stipend. Nomination deadline is Friday, March 2, 2012. Get complete nomination process information at http://srdc.msstate.edu/funding/bonnieteater/.
Read More | January 11, 2012