Jan. 14, 1998
For Immediate Release
Contact: Marsha Gear (619) 594-4501
April 3-10 Institute helps communities prosper economically
The second annual Community Economic Development (CED) National Institute will be held April 3-10, 1998 on the beautiful San Diego State University campus.
The innovative one-week program, consisting of seven courses, is presented by San Diego State University's award-winning CED certificate program.
The Institute is designed for people eager to make a valuable contribution in their community by helping it prosper economically. No formal business administration background is required to attend. It is a valuable resource for government and business employees, community-based organizations and volunteers who deal with community outreach. Participants gain skills in community leadership and economic development and gain knowledge which can be utilized in their careers.
Daniel L. Bernardy, an Institute participant last year and Director of Workforce Development at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, appreciated the Institute's fast-paced schedule. "It was good information, the faculty was commendable, and the chance to get to know the participants made everything worthwhile," he says.
Bernardy also serves on the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce's Economic Development Committee and reports that he is currently talking with the State of Texas Commerce Department about Enterprise Zones and how they can impact distressed communities. Because of his participation in the CED National Institute, Bernardy now has a lot more involvement with the community than he had prior to attending the Institute. "The CED National Institute did an admirable job," he says.
Four other participants from last year's Institute formed a micro-loan program for Business Improvement Districts as another example of the practicality of the CED program. Donna E. Smith, Executive Director of the Business Improvement District Council in San Diego, is a key player in the development of this micro-lending program. She applauds the CED's combination of classes and the Institute's unique way of blending the academic side with the real world. "Using market studies, business plans and financial packaging concepts introduced in the CED program," Smith explained, "has helped our organization establish a common language to communicate our needs to the banking community."
All seven CED National Institute classes will be conducted on the SDSU campus, and participants will be provided with all required printed materials. The day-long courses are taught by SDSU's College of Business Administration faculty and local business leaders. Topics range from "Introduction to CED" to "Financing Community Economic Development" to "Marketing Strategies." In-class discussions allow participants to exchange ideas about issues that will help them in their professional and volunteer activities.
Free time to explore the natural beauty and cultural diversity of the extraordinary San Diego region has been incorporated into this year's program. Hal Brown, founder and director of the CED Program, comments, "Not only do we want our Institute students to gain in knowledge and understanding of the CED field, we also want them to enjoy and fully experience the wonderful sights and sounds of San Diego."
San Diego City Councilwoman Judy McCarty praised the CED certificate program at San Diego State University, commenting, "This program gives people interested in community activism the tools needed to organize real and lasting change in their neighborhoods. I want to take the courses myself."
The cost for the week-long seminar is $895. To register for the 1998 CED National Institute or to receive a brochure, call SDSU's CED office at (619) 594-6437.
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