UCED’s Director, Nisa Miranda and Dr. Joe Sumners, Director of Auburn University’s Economic and Community Development Institute presented a paper in Athens, Georgia October 2, 2005 at the National Outreach Scholarship Conference entitled, “Rivals as Partners: How Auburn University and The University of Alabama are Working Together to Revitalize Rural Alabama”.  There is probably no closer relationship between the two universities than in the area of economic development outreach.  Miranda and Sumners share a commitment to promoting economic prosperity and an improved quality of life for communities throughout Alabama.  They also share a belief that the combined forces of the University of Alabama and Auburn University are a powerful partnership.

The two university offices have worked on numerous projects throughout the years, including a HUD Community Outreach Partnerships Center Project in Uniontown, Alabama; the Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE) Program; and most recently a research project commissioned by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) entitled: “Economic Recovery Strategy for Alabama Counties Impacted by Hurricane Katrina”.  The research project is a strategy document that outlines the current situation projected resource and policy requirements, measurable goals and objectives, and recommendations for full economic recovery and sustained progress for the 24 Alabama counties that experienced damage from Hurricane Katrina.  For more information on the Economic & Community Development Institute, visit the website:  www.auburn.edu/outreach/ecdi/index.htm