Progress 07/01/06 to 12/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: No further research conducted since 2010 report due to reassignment of principal investigator. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
No further research conducted since 2010 report due to reassignment of principal investigator.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Hughes, David W., Kenneth L. Robinson, and R. David Lamie, "Sustainability and Locally Grown Markets." 2010 Southern Outlook Conference, Atlanta, GA, September 28, 2010. My section of the presentation focused on my collaboration with the Spiro Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership, on a special journal issue, as part of the Southern Entrepreneurs Project, featuring student interviews and narratives with rural entrepreneurs that document the experiences of innovative agricultural business in South Carolina. Dickes, Lori and Kenneth L. Robinson, "Community Partnerships as a Tool to Reduce Regional Labor Gaps: A South Carolina Regional Case Study," Rural Sociological Society Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, August 13, 2010. My ongoing research on entrepreneurship as a local community economic development strategy has led, in part, to the development of a college-wide initiative and course targeting young entrepreneurs called the CAFLS Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Initiative (AEI). Working in collaboration with colleague Wilder Ferreira, we expect the Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Initiative at Clemson University to initially focus on discovering new opportunities in the local, regional, national and global agricultural markets that directly or indirectly foment economic development in South Carolina. The AEI will develop a strong partnership with various segments of the agribusiness industry to foment, attract and expand firms that add value to South Carolina's agricultural products and explore new markets that relate to agriculture, aquaculture, forestry and life sciences. The course, APEC 490 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship (Spring 2011), is an upper level capstone course that blends the flexibility of Internet-based, online content with the benefits of face-to-face classroom instruction. Specifically, the course is designed to assess each student's ability as an entrepreneur, from evaluating the feasibility of their business idea and aligning their business vision with their personal goals to researching, developing, and writing a comprehensive business plan. PARTICIPANTS: Collaborators include colleagues David W. Hughes, R. David Lamie, Wilder Ferreira, William Gartner, and graduate research assistant Lori Dickes. TARGET AUDIENCES: My ongoing entrepreneurship research efforts have led, in part, to the development of a college-wide initiative and course targeting young entrepreneuers called the CAFLS Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Initiative (AEI). Working in collaboration with colleague Wilder Ferreira, we expect the Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Initiative at Clemson University to initially focus on discovering new opportunities in the local, regional, national and global agricultural markets that directly or indirectly foment economic development in South Carolina. The AEI will develop a strong partnership with various segments of the agribusiness industry to foment, attract and expand firms that add value to South Carolina's agricultural products and explore new markets that relate to agriculture, aquaculture, forestry and life sciences. The course, APEC 490 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship (Spring 2011), is an upper level capstone course that blends the flexibility of Internet-based, online content with the benefits of face-to-face classroom instruction. The course is designed to assess each student's ability as an entrepreneur, from evaluating the feasibility of their business idea and aligning their business vision with their personal goals to researching, developing, and writing a comprehensive business plan. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Through our examination of the practical challenges that struggling rural communities experience in their efforts to move beyond traditional economic development approaches, which is supported by field research involving a series of focus groups and telephone interviews conducted in 2008, across the seven county region in South Carolina served by the Upper Savannah Council of Governments (COG), we expect to share our findings that suggest that SC policymakers do not appear to have clearly articulated entrepreneurial development as a primary policy priority for the state. If policymakers have made statements regarding the importance of entrepreneurship in the state, local and regional officials continue to see other economic development initiatives as more of a priority than entrepreneurship efforts. Moreover, communities perceive a number of substantive barriers and constraints to moving forward with entrepreneurial policy efforts.
Publications
- Dickes, Lori, and Kenneth L. Robinson. 2010. Enhancing Cluster Effects to Reduce Regional Labor Supply Gaps in South Carolina. Journal of Extension.
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Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Review and collection of secondary data, and design and pre-test of statewide survey continued. Pre-test respondents included interviewing selected community economic development professionals statewide, and representatives of community development corporations to determine their level of support for and participation in entrepreneurial activities. Insights into the nature of the current environment supporting entrepreneurial activity promise a better understanding of the community and economic development practices and policies that best suit rural communities statewide. In conjunction with a project funded by the Upper Savannah Workforce Investment Area (a seven county region including Abbeville, Greenwood, McCormick, Edgefield, Saluda, Newberry, and Laurens counties), the interviews included selected community economic development professionals, including representatives of community development organizations and local industry leaders to determine their level of support for and participation in entrepreneurial activities. Interviews included a series of focus groups conducted across the region to gain insight on topics including local support (e.g., training, technical and financial assistance) and opportunities for entrepreneurship, factors that may constrain cluster development, and business retention and entrepreneurial activity. The portion of the project was intended to assist the Upper Savannah WIA in developing workforce-based strategies that are tied to appropriate economic development goals; i.e., through the growth of feasibility and desirability region-based economic clusters. This region has been especially hard hit by recent job losses related to textile industry plant closures. The project activities included data analysis, interviews with local business leaders, and presentation of research results to community and business leaders. Also, the results were presented during an invited paper session at the 2009 Annual Meeting of the Southern Regional Science Association, San Antonio, TX. A similar project specifically related to rural entrepreneurs has involved visiting cooperatives, and interacting with small-scale farmers, cooperative representatives, agriculture officials, and retail food industry executives, to develop a series of case studies and narratives profiling the experiences of rural entrepreneurs regarding cooperative management, organization, challenges, profitability and current marketing schemes. Collectively, the profiles provide the foundation for a special journal issue (in progress) on innovative agricultural businesses in South Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Lori Dickes Research Assistant Strom Thurmond Institute of Government and Public Affairs Perimeter Road Clemson, SC 29634-0125 864-980-3135. Bernie Mazyck, President South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations 658 Rutledge Avenue, 2nd Floor Charleston, SC 29403 Office: 843.579.9855 Fax: 843.579.0232 www.communitydevelopmentsc.org. University Center for Economic Development David L. Barkley and Mark S. Henry, Co-Directors 238 Barre Hall Clemson University Clemson, SC 29634 864-656-5797 dbrkly@clemson.edu mhenry@clemson.edu www.clemson.edu/uced. Sandra M Johnson Workforce Development Administrator Upper Savannah Council of Governments P O Box 1366 Greenwood, SC 29648 864.941.8055 1.800.922.7729 864.941.8090 (fax) www.us1stops.com www.uppersavannah.com TARGET AUDIENCES: Targeted audience includes community economic development professionals, representatives of community development corporations, social science researchers, and persons interested in promoting entrepreneurship and community economic development outcomes. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Regional development economists argue that distressed communities must begin to implement innovative, knowledge oriented development approaches. They argue that communities and regions that do not shift away from traditional economic development approaches are at continued risk of falling further behind. What then are communities to do when they are remote; have poor interstate access, high poverty rates, years of high unemployment, a weak entrepreneurial base, and inadequate human capital among other serious challenges A change in knowledge has resulted from this research. It has helped to clarify such questions, and to provide information regarding the practical challenges that distressed communities face and the ongoing labor supply gaps that exacerbate these challenges. Project outcomes include training and education programming to match projected occupational/skill needed by new and expanding businesses in the region. The improved skills of the local labor forces will be a strong attraction to firms deciding where to expand and locate new enterprises and establishments. Further change in knowledge is evidenced from the applied knowledge that was deemed significant enough to be included in a forthcoming publication noted below. In addition, the SC Association of Community Development Corporations has invited me to help develop a series of new training courses targeting local community developers and staff of non-profit community development corporations. An example of a new course includes: working with municipalities and local officials to help formulate, influence and benefit from local community development plans.
Publications
- Dickes, Lori A. and Kenneth L. Robinson, 2010 (accepted). "Enhancing Cluster Effects to Reduce Regional Labor Supply Gaps in South Carolina," Journal of Extension.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Completed a case study (under review) on the Upstate Food Cooperative as part of ongoing development of narratives documenting the experiences of sustainable agriculture producers and rural entrepreneurs, and a series of case studies on cooperative management, organization, challenges, profitability and current marketing schemes. Our project has involved visiting cooperatives, and interacting with small-scale farmers, cooperative representatives, agriculture officials, and retail food industry executives. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals participating on this project included Clemson University Center for Economic Development (UCED) staff, including David W. Hughes (PI), David Barkley (Co-Director), Mark Henry (Co-Director), and Daniel Eades. In addition, UCED members Kenneth L. Robinson, Lori Dickes, and Will Culler conducted the focus group interviews. Kenneth Robinson is responsible for the Clemson University Creative Inquiry Initiative involving ongoing development of narratives and case studies documenting the experiences of rural entrepreneurs. Richard Ogwal-Omara (former Graduate Research Assistant), Rita McMillan (Clemson University National Dropout Prevention Program), and Kenneth Robinson are co-authors of the case study of the Upstate Food Cooperative. TARGET AUDIENCES: Upper Savannah Council of Governments, and seven county region. Contact: Ms. Sandra M. Johnson, PO Box 1366, Greenwood, SC 29648,(864) 941-8055, (864) 941-8090 (fax), Email: sjohnson@uppersavannah.com. The case studies will be used for classroom instruction as well as for distribution to sustainable agriculture and community development professionals, including the Upstate School for Sustainable Agriculture and the Rural Entrepreneurs Project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
I participated in a research project to determine whether cluster development and entrepreneurship are viable, high-priority community and economic development strategies in SC. Previous research suggests that industry clusters also enhance innovative activity, entrepreneurship, and small business development among cluster firms. Insights into the nature of the current environment supporting cluster development, business retention and entrepreneurial activity will enable a better understanding of the community and economic development practices and policies that best suit rural communities statewide. We interviewed development professionals and industry leaders across the Upper Savannah Region. Interviews included a series of focus groups to gain insight on topics including, among others, local support (e.g., training, technical and financial assistance) and opportunities for entrepreneurship, and factors that may constrain cluster development, business retention and entrepreneurial activity. We found that the region has many areas of strength. The quality of life in the region is a strength that may not attract all potential job candidates or inquiring business, but it is one that can certainly be leveraged to attract a variety of new businesses and qualified employees. Further, with a strong partnership between local businesses, K-12 education, and local community colleges, training and education programs can be put in place to ensure that more young people stay in the region or can be attracted back to the region to both work and live. A majority of respondents indicated that labor supply issues are primary barriers to expansion and growth. The regional labor supply shortage is fueled by several factors: (1) a shallow regional labor pool; (2) a shortage of local workers moving into key training and skill based programs; and (3) locational characteristics that make it difficult to attract and retain skilled employees. Labor supply challenges highlight the need for strengthened partnerships between local school districts, career centers, businesses and community colleges. With a concerted effort focused on improving regional education, training partnerships, and entrepreneurship development, findings from this report can help the Upper Savannah Region to better understand how to begin to move towards reducing the gap between the region's labor demands and its labor supply. Our interaction with development professionals and industry leaders across the Upper Savannah Region helped to lay the groundwork for designing a statewide survey to clarify the scope and scale of entrepreneurial policy activity across the state. Further, a more in-depth analysis of individual communities will be used to describe different community approaches to entrepreneurship as an economic development tool.
Publications
- Barkley, David L., Daniel C. Eades, Lori A. Dickes, Mark S. Henry, David W. Hughes, and Kenneth L. Robinson, "Integrating Skills Gaps and Occupational Demand into Regional Economic Development Policy: The Upper Savannah Region as a Case Study," Paper Presentation, Annual Meeting of the North American Council for Regional Science, Brooklyn, NY (November 19-22, 2008).
- Barkley, David L., Daniel C. Eades, Lori A. Dickes, Mark S. Henry, David W. Hughes, and Kenneth L. Robinson, Workforce Occupations and Skills Projections: Upper Savannah Council of Governments Region 2000-2016 Executive Summary, Presentation to the Upper Savannah Council of Governments, Greenwood, SC (June 25, 2008).
- Dickes, Lori A. and Kenneth L. Robinson. (2009). Economic Development Priorities: Which Comes First the Chicken or the Egg Lessons in Small Town Economic Development Policy. Journal of Extension [Under review].
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
Reported the results of an assessment conducted by the South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations (SCACDC) on the organizational needs of 29 community-based organizations across South Carolina. The assessment was designed to help SCACDC determine how best to serve and meet the technical assistance and training needs of member organizations, specifically as it relates to how much and what kind of assistance is needed.
Impacts
This assessment revealed that community development corporations (CDCs) in South Carolina represent a decentralization of community development policies from federal and state institutions to grassroots, community-based, locally-controlled nonprofit organizations. Although the organizations reported on in this survey vary widely in terms of organizational capacity, programs and services offered, and direct technical assistance needed, each organization is attempting to help address the social and economic distress that characterize many low-wealth communities across the state. Moreover, this assessment contributes to the examination of level of participation, capacity, and best practices in entrepreneurship and community-based enterprises among CDCs, community development financial institutions, and other locally-based enterprises, particularly in terms of existing organizational capacity to further extend their services to involve a more comprehensive, broader array
of activities such as entrepreneurship development, job training, and small business development services.
Publications
- Robinson, Kenneth L., Katherine Leith, and Rebekka M. Dudensing, SCACDC Survey Report, Clemson University, South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations (SCACDC), (February 2007).
- Kenneth L. Robinson, et. al., SCACDC Survey Report: Findings and Implications, Clemson University AES Department Working Paper Series, forthcoming (2008).
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
To examine the level of participation, capacity and best practices in entrepreneurship and community-based enterprises I conducted a statistical analysis of 29-member organizations of the South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporations (SCACDC). SCACDC is a non-profit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for the state's low-wealth families and communities by promoting and aiding community-based economic development efforts. SCACDC serves as a state-wide trade association and intermediary for community development corporations (CDCs), and provides access to capital, technical assistance, training, and advocacy for community economic development alliances in the state of South Carolina. The association helps groups of community residents and businesses organize community development corporations (CDCs) to address poverty-related concerns identified by the community. These issues range from housing to job creation to small business
development. The analysis is presented in a summary report that focuses on the examination of governance and planning goals of each organization as well as personnel and liability issues, financial management and internal controls. The capacity of each organization to successfully undertake property management and housing development activities is analyzed as several of the organizations are involved in housing and related development. Summary findings include: 1) All respondents indicated that their board follows established governance procedures; 2) More than 75 percent of survey respondents indicated that their board had seriously considered major changes in its structure, programs, or resources in the past few years; 3) Of 24 respondents, 83 percent reported providing formal training for staff. Volunteer training was provided by 70 percent of 27 respondents; 4) Of those organizations reporting current year budget information, budgets ranged from $60,000 to $2,280,000 with a mean
of $434,352 and a median of $290,386. 5) Respondents completed an average of 37 housing units over the preceding two years. The number of housing units completed by individual boards ranged from 0 to 210; and 6) Eighty-five percent of responding organizations reported requiring assistance in housing project development, while 68 percent needed assistance in property management and 38 percent needed help with supportive housing programs.
Impacts
In addition to quantifying the organizational capacity of CDCs statewide as summarized under Progress Report, this analysis is intended to help SCACDC determine how best to serve and meet the technical assistance and training needs of member organizations, specifically as it relates to how much and what kind of assistance is needed. Based on the findings of this analysis, SCACDC expects to assist CDCs with organizational development, provide financial and technical assistance to CDCs, and support training for housing and other asset management activities. This assessment reveals that CDCs in SC represent a decentralization of community development policies from federal and state institutions to grassroots, community-based, locally-controlled nonprofit organizations. Although the organizations reported on here vary widely in terms of organizational capacity, programs and services offered, and direct technical assistance needed, each organization is attempting to help
address the social and economic distress that characterize many low-wealth communities across the state. Nonetheless, fewer organizations than expected are directly involved in entrepreneurship and small business development activities. With the assistance of SCACDC, these organizations may potentially be able to build upon their existing capacity to further extend their services to involve a more comprehensive, broader array of activities such as small business development, business support services, and entrepreneurship. These findings are expected to be published and shared broadly.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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