Rural Economic Disaster
Recovery Resource Center
Recovery Resource Center
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Rural Economic Disaster Recovery Resource Center |
WHAT NOW? WHERE TO TURN? YOU’RE NOT ALONE PREPARE NOW Disaster recovery |
YOU'RE NOT ALONE: Wiggins / Stone County, Mississippi: Bridging the Road to Economic Recovery |
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Photo Above: The photograph depicts a makeshift bridge in Wiggins, MS after Hurricane Katrina. But it also represents the recovery process for Wiggins/Stone County, MS by showing that overcoming a disaster can bridge the road to growth and development. (Photo by Raven James, 2005) Overview of the Wiggins/Stone County Mississippi Case Study In response to Hurricane Katrina, the Mississippi Office of USDA Rural Development asked The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) Department of Economic & Workforce Development to assist the City of Wiggins and Stone County, Mississippi in identifying opportunities and resources for hurricane recovery and development. The Stone County Economic Development Partnership and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College assisted the department in inviting the participation of a broad range of residents, educators, businesses, and local officials. At the time of this request, the City of Wiggins and Stone County, Mississippi were having difficulty in coping with instantaneous changes and growth caused by the devastating storm, such as the influx of displaced residents, demands on the physical and social infrastructure, and “finding their place” in the post-Katrina planning efforts at the regional, state, and national level. Dr. Judson Edwards, now an Associate Professor of Economics at Troy University, along with Graduate Research Assistant, Nichole D’Andrea, made significant progress in developing relationships with local leaders, collecting primary and secondary demographic and economic data, and providing technical assistance in the implementation of a recently completed strategic plan for Stone County, Mississippi. Dr. Edwards also served as facilitator of seven public meetings and a series of targeted meetings with local governmental bodies, educational institutions and rural water authorities. In addition, Dr. Edwards was a featured speaker during the official visit of the Governor’s Commission on Recovery and Renewal. Through these meetings, the strategic planning committee identified many opportunities for recovery and long-range development in the areas of housing, economic development, education, and infrastructure. The last “Moving Stone Ahead” Committee meeting included the introduction of the FEMA Long Range Planning team—in order to integrate their services into the development planning efforts. The purpose of this proposal for a cooperative agreement is to secure the necessary resources to make the City of Wiggins/Stone County, Mississippi recovery, rebuilding, and renewal an effective and equitable reality for all of the residents of the community: building and expanding upon existing plans from the Governor’s Commission to make these plans compatible with the values and best interests of all Stone County citizens. Secure funding from USDA rural development would provide us with the support and resources, initially, to develop planning, organizational, and communication capabilities at the local level, giving all residents and interests of Stone County a shared voice and ownership in the recovery and redevelopment process. Second, we can build on this strong local foundation to leverage greater resources and expertise from state and national agencies, as well as NGOs. Several such organizations have expressed strong interest to date. Initial funding from USDA Rural Development could provide the cornerstone necessary to help bring these organizations together. Third, this program in Stone County can provide an excellent case study for other “communities in crisis,” which have received a severe blow from natural disaster, economic setback (such as a major industry closing), or other devastating setback. Stone County can provide a particularly good model for effectively bringing together “bottom up” community-based planning with “top down” resources and expertise from state and federal agencies and other organizations. As a cooperative agreement, USDA Rural Development offers unequaled expertise in planning and development for small communities, as well as grant development assistance to guide Stone County in securing necessary resources.
Click here for Wiggins / Stone County in-depth case study, by Nichole D'Andrea |
