What is Community Development?

Community resource development (CRD) is about bringing people together to use local talents, ideas, and resources. Talent, ideas, and resources help to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Therefore, by providing educational resources in the areas of entrepreneurship, workforce development, and leadership, the CRD team helps build stronger economies and lasting positive change. Communities are stronger and more resilient when there are strong entrepreneurs, workers, and leaders driving them.

Benefits of CRD Programs 

Many 1890 and other land-grant CRD professionals deliver education and resources that empower communities with untapped potential to address challenges and create new opportunities. Progress and mobility often occur when communities work together to confront complex social, economic, and environmental issues.

Specifically, CRD programs help communities to:

• Explore opportunities by generating ideas, identifying talent, and discovering new possibilities.
• Build capacity by developing skills, strategies, and practical solutions.
• Strengthen communities by supporting businesses, encouraging leadership, and fostering positive change.

Our Approach

CRD programs are available in person or online. Contact the CRD team today about bringing these programs and other resources to your community!

Workforce Development

• Career Countdown is an interactive, two-part class for middle and high school students to explore careers, budgets, and the future.
• Go-Getter Pathways is our self-paced platform that enables participants to prepare for industry-recognized credentials by taking online courses.​ Upon course completion, participants can connect with additional support networks and mentorships.​

Entrepreneurship

• Business Model Canvas is a multi-part series that helps entrepreneurs create a lean model canvas that can be transformed into a traditional business plan, detailing a business’s mission, vision, and strategy. This program is beneficial for any entrepreneur or business owner with an idea or seeking business funding.
• Filing for Success is a four-part series on forming a small business in Alabama: licensing, LLCs, banking, insurance, record keeping, and taxes.
• The Small Business Café is an online learning community that provides introductory-level education on small business topics, including marketing, capital access, and budgeting. This community includes a Facebook group open to anyone where you can stay up to date on business and learning opportunities, network with other Alabama entrepreneurs, and ask questions about your business challenges.

Sample Topics

• Food as a Business 101
• Business Model Canvas 101
• Capital Access 101
• Business Bookkeeping 101
• Business Marketing 101

Leadership Development      

• Real Colors® is presented in a fast, fun, interactive format where participants can learn how to identify their temperament, or color, and that of others. Using this powerful knowledge, participants can develop effective communication skills and build better relationships in and out of the workplace.
• Non-Profit Leadership strengthens nonprofit leadership and governance by providing practical, easy-to-apply training. Designed for organizations with limited resources, it supports those working to build strong and effective leadership teams. The program also includes an introduction to grant writing, providing participants with the fundamentals needed to identify funding opportunities and prepare competitive proposals.

For More Information

The Alabama Extension Community Resource Development Team at Alabama A&M University is ready to assist you along your leadership, small business ownership, and workforce journey. Be sure to sign up for our listserv at www.aces.edu/go/crdinfo. You can also schedule a virtual appointment with one of our team members at www.aces.edu/go/1on1s.

For more information, please contact Extension Specialist Terence Norwood via email at tpn0004@aces.edu or phone at 256-372-5023.