The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development (UCED) and The Montgomery Institute (TMI) partnered to provide planning services, technical assistance and training to elected officials, community leaders and WIRED Community College staff from communities and small towns in the West Alabama and East Mississippi WIRED Region (WAEM). UCED managed the project, provided mentoring to the technical assistance delivered by WIRED staff, and served as the primary point of contact during the contract period. The deliverables resulting from this project include the following:
- Three WAEM Mayor Network Events
- Six Mississippi WAEM charrettes
- Seven Alabama WAEM charrettes
- Two WAEM YourTown workshops
- Orientation and Training of WAEM WIRED staff through YourTown workshop, inclusion in STDI and WAEM charrettes, mentoring on assigned follow up of implementation projects
The three main objectives of the project included:
- Provide training and expert support in the delivery of the assets-based illustrative master planning process and methodology that has been developed through YourTown Alabama and the Auburn Urban Studio Small Town Design Initiative (STDI) Program.
- Identify implementation support needed in WIRED communities, and provide training, mentoring support and guidance to WIRED Community College staff in their technical assistance efforts; and
- Provide training and support to create a WAEM Mayor network.