Community & Economic Development is a prevailing program area of the Cooperative Extension System. As states go through the program development process, stakeholders identify critical issues and concerns they deem priority that should be addressed. This occurs at the state, regional and local levels. In compiling the information from the various levels, it is determined which program areas will be maintained for the conduct of Extension work.
    
The Cooperative Extension Program (CEP) was established at Prairie View A & M University in 1972. County staff  were advised to assist clientele in all the areas they could to help them improve their level of living.  The Community & Economic Development program grew out of the numerous requests of clientele and the need to improve community and economic conditions.
 
Today, all CEP agents work in community and economic development, devoting approximately 20% of their time to this program area.  There is no clear cut definition for community development. Community development means different things to many people. As one writer said, community development is people from many different groups all pulling together to solve problems.   Community and Economic Development has five emphasis areas:

• Leadership
• Housing
• Facilities Acquisition and Maintenance
• Community Enhancement
• Business Development

Work will be conducted in these five emphasis areas through FY 2006.   Strategic planning for the overall Extension program has started. County and headquarters staff  were involved in compiling the issues identified by stakeholders at the local level and further identified issues at the state level. After processing the information, it was determined that the Community and Economic Development program area will have three areas of emphasis over the next five years:

• Economic Growth and Development
• Housing
• Community Development

 
Special Project(s)

• ·        Rural Business and Economic Development 

 
State and Area Staff:
Alfred R. Wade
Associate Administrator
Cooperative Extension Program
Prairie View A&M University
P O Box 3059
Prairie View, TX 77446-3059
936-857-2227 - Voice
936-857-2637 - Fax
ar-wade@tamu.edu
 
Jimmy L. Henry
Field Counselor
Cooperative Extension Program
Prairie View A&M University
 P O Box 3059
Prairie View, TX 77446-3059
936-857-2227 - Voice
936-857-2637 - Fax
jhenry@ag.tamu.edu
 
Lloyd J. Hebert
Field Coordinator
Cooperative Extension Program
Jefferson County Extension Office
1295 Pearl Street
Beaumont, TX 77701