May 24, 2005
Purdue opens Center for Regional Development
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue's Center for Regional Development, which conducts applied research and analysis and nurtures partnerships that cut across jurisdictional boundaries, is ready for business.
|
Sam Cordes, assistant director of Purdue's Cooperative Extension Service, and Victor L. Lechtenberg, vice provost for engagement, serve as the center's co-directors. The center can perform several functions for economic development agencies, chambers of commerce and government units. Services include:
• creating regional profiles of economic, demographic and social characteristics;
• conducting survey research and analysis;
• benchmarking;
• facilitating discussions of regional issues;
• organizing and facilitating regional initiatives; and
• developing regional leadership.
"Our goal is to help Indiana become the nation's leader in supporting creative, regional approaches to development," Cordes said. "We can accomplish this vision by forming collaborative partnerships; harnessing the power of data, analysis and information; and nurturing discussions and partnerships that require a regional perspective. For example, the economy does not stop at the county boundary, nor do shopping patterns and the commuting patterns of workers."
|
Projects with which the center is currently involved include developing and presenting data at regional forums of the Indiana Humanities Council. Examples of the data include determining how many workers commute from one county to another within a particular region, the cumulative percent of job growth by region and the levels of educational attainment by region. Christine Nolan, the center's senior planner and policy analyst, provides leadership for this project, for which the Center for Regional Development is working with the Center for Regional Economic Issues at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
The Center for Regional Development and Purdue's Social Research Institute also are assisting with a statewide poll of rural residents that will allow for regional comparisons within the state. This project is funded by the Indiana Rural Development Council.
"These types of projects remove much of the guesswork and serve as a catalyst for important discussions that need to occur across jurisdictional boundaries." Lechtenberg said. "Through the Center for Regional Development, Purdue can help add value and provide services and analysis not currently being undertaken by others. Again, the emphasis is on a regional perspective and the data and information needed to make informed decisions at that level."
Cordes said the center will emphasize collaboration as it creates and pursues its agenda. Advisory committees will be put in place that will include various Indiana agencies, institutions and organizations.
"This will keep the center grounded and oriented to the priority regional issues in the state and will also ensure the center is not inadvertently duplicating the work of others," Cordes said. "Our intent is on a multi-jurisdictional approach to creative problem solving, and we think this is an area where we can contribute the most."
Arrangements for housing the new center are currently being finalized. In addition to university support, the center also will seek grants and contracts. A fee structure for certain types of work and analysis also will be developed. To inquire about the center, contact Cordes at (765) 494-3573, smcordes@purdue.edu.
Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purude.edu
Sources: Sam Cordes, (765) 494-3573, smcordes@purdue.edu
Victor L. Lechtenberg, (765) 494-9095, vll@purdue.edu
Christine Nolan, (765) 494-9262, cenolan@purdue.edu
Related Web site:
To the News Service home page