Garfield County Community Development Academy

The Community Development Academy (CDA) is an eight-week, interactive course presented in Garfield County by the Sonoran Institute.  The course will cover important planning and development issues in the current economy with an emphasis on linking community and economic development goals.  Designed to create a county-wide dialogue regarding these challenges, each session will bring in an expert to discuss the weekly topic and will conclude with significant time for facilitated, informed discussion on how we see these issues playing out in our region.

The goals of the CDA are to provide:

• Regional Dialogue: Promote discussion between different sectors and communities. Provide a forum for informed discussion about important trends and issues facing our communities.
• Education and Training: Blend panel discussions, informative speakers and group discussion to educate participants about key challenges as well as strategies to respond to them.
• Leadership development: Build individual and group leadership skills to enable and inspire local leaders who wish to make a significant contribution to the community and address important planning and development issues in our region.
• Community Impact: Help communities realize local development goals.  

Open to all members of the community, the CDA encourages participation by those who have an interest in:

• Promoting quality community design and development throughout Garfield County
• Learning ways to positively influence the growth and future of our valley community

Session Information:

Session 1: Our Communities and Economy – Economic & Demographic Trends (February 27^th)

• Notes and Presentation by the State Demography Office
• Powerpoint Presentation

Session 2: Market and Development Trends – Challenges and Opportunities (March 5th, 2012)

• Notes and Presentation by Economic & Planning Systems
• Powerpoint Presentation

Session 3 - Community Design & Place-Making (March 12th, 2012)

• Notes by City of Rifle & Town of Basalt
  
• Presentation by Matt Sturgeon, Assistant City Manager, City of Rifle
• Presentation by Bill Kane, Town Manager, Town of Basalt

Session 4 - Strengthening Communities (March 19th, 2012)

• Notes by Perry Rose, LLC
• Presentation by Perry Rose, LLC
• Click here to view a recording of the presentation from session 4

Resources:

• Class Schedule (subject to change)