University Center Projects

• Community-initiated strategic plans for economic development.
• Downtown business redevelopment and commercial revitalization plans.
• Feasibility studies for business incubators, industrial parks, and other commercial ventures.
• Strategic development plans for port facilities and business parks.
• Revolving-loan-fund reporting system and database.

Areas of Assistance

• Organizing and facilitating strategic planning projects with neighborhood and community leaders.
• Gathering and analyzing the data necessary to determine the feasibility of economic development initiatives.
• Providing assistance with writing grant proposals and in identifying possible funding sources.
• Conducting neighborhood level and site specific feasibility studies focused on business retention and revitalization.
• Assisting in developing capacity-building collaborations designed to leverage community financial and human resources.
• Designing and conducting training programs and workshops for community leaders and organizations on topics such as strategic planning for economic development and financing local economic development projects.
• Facilitating the implementation of strategic economic development initiatives.

The University Center also offers a student internship program. Client organizations are matched with students having a strong interest in a particular field. The internship program is a strategic way for government, private, and non-profit, community-based economic development organizations to leverage limited funds while accessing long-term assistance.

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