SBC Foundation’s Excelerator Grant Awarded to CSU, Chico Research Foundation’s Center for Economic Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 12, 2005
Joe Wills
530-898-4143
Dan Ripke, Center for Economic Development
530-898-4598
SBC Foundation’s Excelerator Grant Awarded to CSU, Chico Research Foundation’s Center for Economic Development
The SBC Foundation awarded the CSU, Chico Research Foundation’s Center for Economic Development (CED) $25,000 from their SBC Excelerator technology grants to support CED’s effort in creating an online community in California. SBC Excelerator, the SBC Foundation’s signature initiative, funds projects that use technology to build stronger communities. The project, developed by CED Director Dan Ripke, will be a Web site providing economic developers throughout California with access to a large, well-developed user-created online community of information, resources and expertise.
California is unique with its large and diverse population. Despite the state’s numerous economic development and other workforce professionals, many are geographically isolated, creating obstacles in gaining access to the resources they need to solve local problems. Many organizations within the state lack the funding and time to meet with colleagues and discuss solutions. California’s immense geography creates physical barriers that prevent collaboration and the development of solutions across the state. The online community will fill this need and will bridge these physical barriers by making communication easier and more efficient.
The online community site will allow the target population of economic and community development professionals to assist their colleagues by providing a venue for peer-to-peer development. The purpose of the online community will be to implement innovative strategies that will improve the economic vitality of the communities. Overall, the benefits of this project will be an increased number of clients served, increased outreach capabilities and a potential increase in economic vitality. The project will be coordinated by Dan Ripke and his staff at the CED.
The Center for Economic Development is a community outreach and technical assistance organization of the California State University, Chico Research Foundation. As an agent of the University, the CED supports, expands and re-emphasizes the University’s role in the regional economic development process. CED’s mission is to educate and build the knowledge and capacity of California economic development professionals and enhance the well being of the region’s citizens by facilitating sustained, long-term coordinated economic development strategies.
For more information contact Dan Ripke, director, CED, by calling 530-898-4598.
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