Adding Value to Missouri Communities

Overall impacts - Fiscal Year 2009

For more information on any of the programs listed below, please contact Mary Simon Leuci at 573-882-2937, your local extension office, or visit the University of Missouri Extension website at http://extension.missouri.edu/

The Community Development Program works collaboratively with communities fostering economic development, leadership development, community decision making, community emergency preparedness, and the development of inclusive communities. Volunteers and partners contributed over 24,988 hours valued at $443,964 based on a national standard for valuing volunteer hours.

The ExCEED program leveraged $609,080 in community endowments and grants, $12.2 million in new business investments, 60 businesses start-ups (23 were youth-owned), 9 business expansions; 60 new jobs and 16 jobs retained, 19 new engaged leaders, and new network development.

The Community Emergency Management Program directly supported communities and the state in planning and recovery from severe ice and rain storms and the first outbreak of H1N1 virus. After severe storms, Extension faculty and staff fully participated in Multi Agency Resource Centers, providing thousands of impacted individuals, families, businesses, and farms with education on food safety, drinking water purification, chain saw safety, consumer fraud, housing, landscape recovery, livestock care, tax consequences of the storm and mental health issues. Information was also distributed through print and broadcast media and the web. In one case, a local extension office provided leadership for coordinating volunteers who provided over 13,000 hours of service for chain saw teams, debris removal, wellness checks, shelter and mass feeding operations.

Half of the participants in 11 faith-based workshops conducted by the Community Emergency Management Program reported developing family plans, and 85% reported actions taken by leadership to make their congregation more prepared for disasters.

USDA-Rural Development uses the Socio-Economic Benefit Assessment System developed by the Community Policy Analysis Center to assess and monitor its Business and Industry loans and grants across the country.

The Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis’ work through a National Governor’s Association grant contributed to a $9.9 million federal grant for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Planning programs with communities and nonprofit organizations engaged citizens, lead to implementation, and leveraged resources.

Herculaneum and Hillsboro implemented their plans and obtained over $10 million in grants the past two years; Northeast Missouri communities reported obtaining $420,000 in grants to implement plans this year.
Statewide, small nonprofit organizations reported leveraging over 2.5 million in resources.
The St. Louis Old North Healthy Community Initiative’s plan to improve access to healthy foods expanded the farmers market and developed a community garden, grocery coop, and Community Supported Agriculture operation.
Sunrise Beach engaged citizens in planning and zoning and saved $100,000.
Nine communities cumulatively saved $550,000 in developing a vision and plan working in partnership with Drury University students and MU Extension.

In a partnership with Community Action Agencies, issue forums on closing the achievement gap increased capacity for public dialogue, resulting in the collaborative development of policy brief with Step Up to Leadership graduates and Community Action Agencies.

Equal opportunity is and shall be provided to all participants in Extension programs and activities, and for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or status as a Vietnam-era veteran. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or military organizations associated with the armed forces of the United States of America.

Updated 9/11/09