The Situation
Rural communities in Mississippi struggle with a wide range of community development challenges. Transitioning from a predominantly agricultural/manufacturing economy to a service economy sometimes causes heavy job loss and population decline in many rural areas. On the flip side, rural communities sometimes face rapid population and retail growth when located adjacent to population centers causing drastic change in the character of areas that were once farmland or “out in the country.”
A community facing these challenges or other similar scenarios must be proactive and manage these issues while preserving or enhancing its character and sense of place. YourTown Mississippi will help you and your team understand how community planning and design can enable YourTown to compete better and thrive longer in today’s economy.
What is YourTown Mississippi?
Building on prior successes of YourTown Alabama, WAEMTown, and the inaugural YourTown event last year, the Stennis Institute is excited to announce the second YourTown Mississippi workshop. The mix of presentations, hands-on design work, and lots of sharing and discussing will create a dynamic learning environment loaded with practical ideas to take home and apply in your community.
The YourTown Mississippi program is a three-day workshop focused on community development using basic design and planning principles. Participants will hear brief lectures about topics such as rural tourism, natural resources, marketing and branding, planning and many other topics. Planning professionals will facilitate group work sessions where participants will use maps, markers, pens, and tracing paper to redesign and plan a fictitious city called “Your Town.”
Teams will establish goals for the community; deal with issues such as a proposed bypass and relocation of a school; map Your Town’s assets and challenges; identify tourism opportunities; and other similar exercises that deal with common small town issues.
When and Where Will YourTown Mississippi Be Held?
The workshop is typically held at Lake Tiak O’khata in Louisville. Meals and lodging will be provided on site.
Unfortunately due to some unforeseen issues we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2018 YourTown, Mississippi Workshop. We will work to reschedule the event as soon as possible.
Thank you for understanding and we sincerely apologize for any problems this causes. Please contact Jeremy Murdock with any questions.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements to Participate?
- The workshop is limited to 36 participants.
- Participants are expected to actively and fully participate in all sessions and activities for the duration of the workshop.
- Communities are encouraged, but not required, to send a team of three individuals.
How Do I Apply?
Once the next workshop is scheduled we will release information regarding the application process. Community teams are encouraged to apply early, as the workshop is limited to 36 participants. Review of applications begins upon submission. Once submitted, the Institute will contact you regarding payment. For security standards, we are asking any interested parties to not submit credit card information over the internet, and instead, we will contact you for payment methods.