Dumas Leads Arkansas with USDA REDI Award... Arkansas is Rural Economic Development Innovation... The REDI Hub

 In June of 2019 this announcement naming Dumas as recipient representing Arkansas as one of 47 nationwide recipients was big. In this blog see how Dumas/Desha is gaining momentum along the way and what's up next. 

For Immediate Release

June 12, 2019

 

USDA Announces Dumas, AR as one of 47 Rural Communities to Receive Technical Assistance to Help Build Long-Term Economic Growth

 

Dumas, AR, June 12, 2019 – Communities Unlimited, Inc. and West Dumas Community Family Life and Legacy Center

 

On June 6, 2019, Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley announced the West Dumas Community Family Life Center (WDCFLC) in Dumas, AR as one of  47 rural recipients that will receive technical assistance to help create and implement long-term economic development plans.  

    “USDA and its partners are bringing local leaders and economic development experts together to create opportunity in some of the nation’s most economically challenged rural communities,” Baxley said.

 USDA is providing the assistance through an initiative called Rural Economic Development Innovation (REDI).  The West Dumas Community Life Center has been paired with the national Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP). Communities Unlimited, the Southern RCAP, is a community development organization that will provide technical assistance under REDI to support five rural towns and regions in Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas, including Dumas, to create and implement economic development plans. The WDCFLC applied for the planning assistance in order to expand e-connectivity access and improve economic development that will benefit residents of 20 rural counties throughout Arkansas.  A special announcement will be held in Dumas on July 2, at 12noon at the Chamber of Commerce meeting to unveil the strategy for the initiative and new development plans for the campus.

Following the announcement, a Town Hall Meeting will take place with leaders from USDA, REDI and Communities Unlimited sharing details of the program with Dumas/Desha officials and residents as well as representatives and residents throughout the 20 rural counties in Arkansas. Both events are being held at the Dumas Community Center located at 18 Belmont St, Dumas, Arkansas 71639.

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                                    IT HAPPENED!  July 1 Published PR Announcement 

                                                                        

About Communities Unlimited, Inc.:

Communities Unlimited (CU) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit community development organization providing resources across seven southern states in support of locally-led initiatives to improve the lives of those that live and work in rural communities and neighborhoods within larger urban areas. CU combines fundamental infrastructure improvement with entrepreneurial growth strategies to move rural places along a trajectory toward prosperity. We accomplish this through local on-site technical assistance, training, lending, GIS mapping services and strategic partnerships. CU is an EOE M/F/Disability/Veteran Employer, Lender and Provider.

 

About West Dumas Community Family Life and Legacy Center:

 

The West Dumas Community Family Life Center and Legacy Center is a public-benefit non-profit corporation offering community programs and services with the mission to uplift and transform lives from multiple levels of disparity and inequities. Thousands of persons from Dumas throughout the Delta have utilized this venue for twenty-five years. The current program of destination is the Digital Arts Technology College Network (DAT—C) coming fall of 2019. It focuses on education, entrepreneurship and economic development. The center currently engaged in a 1.5-million-dollar redevelopment initiative.  

The core mission is providing the education of students who are primary in low-income housing (but also other constituents), the tools necessary for the students/participants to be successful business executives or entrepreneurs inside the creative economy workforce. 

 

Backbone partner organizations are TCAA, The College of Aspiring Artists and ASC Management Company.  ASC has over 1200 housing units across the state of Arkansas and houses over 2,000 persons in apartments and other housing units. The campus sits on five acres and has a park and recreations program that features, a full court covered basketball arena, playground equipment and plenty room for family, school, church reunions, festivals and more. 

 

HAPPENING NOW!

From Dumas, Desha to DC we have done magnificent work. From meeting with the Governor and other leaders across the state, we are there promoting Dumas. 

Dumas REDI is overseen by The College of Aspiring Artists and under the entity of the West Dumas Community Family Life Center, now known as THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas.

Ø  As an institution we have done more in community outreach than any other college that is in and out of Dumas as it relates to direct benefits to the citizens

Ø  Over $750,000 in food distribution has been completed since 2020.

Ø  We have been in the space of Health and Wellness Education bringing in specialist in medical support services during the pandemic

Ø  We have produced legacy awards, concerts, festivals and special events

Ø  Our curriculum is in the schools. Our film documentary COME WALK IN MY SHOES is being screened this week at all schools as a tribute to the Rev. Dr. MLK Holiday.

Ø  Backbone Partner ASC Property Management has invested workforce and site operations

§  Valued at a minimum of $500/per distribution; Over $10,000

§  Provides economic revenue to the city with multiple apartment complexes with water utilities averaging $200,000 per year with a total of 6-million dollars in economic impact to the city of Dumas.

More coming on next post for 2022 Homecoming-Reunion and Convention Spotlighting Dumas and the AR-MS-LA Delta at www.dat-c.org