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Community resource development (CRD) is a program area of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama Extension). The CRD Extension team at Alabama A&M University provides educational resources in small business, career, and leadership development to help communities across the state thrive. The team supports resilience in Alabama communities by providing support and resources for the development of strong entrepreneurs, careers, and leaders.

What is Community Development?

Community development is a broad term covering any project, program, strategy, and/or activism that improves the quality of life in a particular place. It is generally more holistic than economic development, often associated with profit-motivated projects. The CRD team’s work intersects the two, helping to create economic opportunity with people-centric approaches.

Many 1890 land-grant CRD professionals provide education and resources that empower marginalized communities to overcome barriers and achieve equity, resilience, and mobility by addressing complex social, economic, and environmental issues.

CRD Programs

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

Workforce Development

Career Countdown

Career Countdown is an interactive, two-part class for middle and high school students to explore careers, budgets, and plans for their future.

Go-Getter Workforce

Our self-paced platform allows participants to prepare for industry-recognized credentials by taking courses through our online platform.​ Upon course completion, participants can connect with additional support networks and mentorships.​

Entrepreneurship & Small Business

Business Building Blocks (Re-Launching 2025)

Business Building Blocks is a multi-part series that helps entrepreneurs transform a lean model canvas into a traditional business plan, detailing a business’s mission, vision, and strategy. This program is beneficial for any entrepreneur or business owner seeking business funding.

Business Model Canvas

Whether you are a tech start-up, a food truck, or a generations-old small business, the business model canvas is a valuable business tool. Unless a formal business plan for a loan application or investment is required, attempting to complete a lengthy and traditional plan may not be the best way to reach your goals. The business model canvas series empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners to get products on the market quickly, tweak products based on customer feedback, and continuously improve business ideas.

Filing for Success

Filing for Success is a four-part series on forming a small business in Alabama: licensing, LLCs, banking, insurance, record keeping, and taxes.

Small Business Cafe

The Small Business Café is an online learning community that provides introductory-level small business education, such as business marketing, capital access, and budgets. 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.

Leadership Development      

Real Colors®

Real Colors is presented in a fast, fun, interactive format where participants can learn how to identify their temperament or “color quickly” and that of others. Using this powerful knowledge, they can develop more effective communication skills and build better relationships in and out of the workplace.

Non-Profit Leadership (Relaunching 2025)

This program is valuable to all nonprofits needing training on best practices for leadership/governance. It is targeted to under-resourced nonprofits that are investing in equitable representation in their leadership.

For More Information

For more information, please contact Extension Specialist Terence Norwood via email or phone at (256) 372-5023.