2026 CDS Annual Conference

This study summarizes stakeholders’ preferences for promoting economic growth by facilitating sustainable businesses and entrepreneurship in economically distressed regions in South Carolina. A survey was conducted in a randomly selected rural county and an urban county to capture stakeholders’ preferences for pathways to bolster economic development. Thus, the survey captured stakeholder perceptions regarding challenges and opportunities of economic and entrepreneurial development including any regional dynamics associated with a rural and an urban community. The survey responders represented various stakeholder groups including local business owners, executives, public officials, officials of non-profit organizations. The survey recorded stakeholders’ feedback on pertinent questions including economic and entrepreneurial development challenges and opportunities, environmental sustainability, skills-enhancement training to increase employability of residents, and public-private partnership opportunities. Study results will convey multi-sector stakeholders’ perceptions and suggestions as insights for urban and regional economic development practitioners, policymakers, and academicians. Besides, the results of this study will be useful for anyone interested in economic and entrepreneurial development in South Carolina, especially those focused on sustainable growth in areas that include census tracts designated as Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs).

The Youth Empowerment Program equips young people with leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement skills to influence processes and drive community change. Through experiential learning, mentorship, and collaborative projects, YEP fosters confidence, critical thinking, and a sense of agency among youth. Participants engage in real-world problem-solving, connect with local leaders, and develop strategies to advance equity and economic mobility in their communities.

This research project focuses on the availability of childcare in an eight-county rural and urban area in coastal Georgia. The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America is directly adding 8,500 jobs to this region, increasing the demand for labor in this area. Community leaders identified Childcare as a factor keeping people out of the labor market. This study establishes, for both rural and urban counties, the current and future supply of and demand for childcare in the region. It also identifies where gaps in care exist and strategies to address the challenge.

This study addresses the research gap in understanding practitioner perspectives on evaluating placemaking initiatives, a popular cross-sector process used to enhance community vitality and public spaces. Through interviews with twenty (20) U.S. practitioners, the research identifies wide variations in evaluation requirements, capacity constraints, and challenges linked to complexity, leadership transitions, and data limitations. Despite these barriers, effective evaluation supports learning, advocacy, and funding outcomes. Findings highlight the inherent tension between flexibility and structure in current evaluation practices while underscoring the need for collaborative, systematic, and context-sensitive approaches. This study contributes to broader discussions in cross-sector initiatives.

This presentation from the Levitt Foundation—a national creative placemaking funder supporting the largest free outdoor music series in America—explores how volunteer-driven community action, strengthened through cross-sector partnerships with public health organizations, help grantee communities navigate change and ultimately improve health outcomes. Using several Levitt Music Series communities as case studies, the session highlights how volunteers from healthcare institutions activate public space in partnership with cultural programming, providing a connection with community members in a welcoming and joyous setting and building trust in local health providers—ultimately leading to healthier communities in times of uncertainty.

These case studies demonstrate how the Levitt model of free, outdoor concerts taking place in accessible public spaces—with ample opportunity for volunteering and cross-sector partnerships—connects community members and cultural programming with public health resources. Together, these case studies reflect how communities chart collaborative pathways, harness cultural energy, and ultimately make public health a more visible and attainable goal for community members.

Housing instability presents critical challenges across all communities. In three Georgia counties, the University of Georgia Archway Partnership’s Issue Work Group model is addressing these needs through collaboration with community partners and resources from UGA. Leveraging student engagement, faculty mentorship, and data-driven decision-making, three community issue work groups have developed initiatives, conducted research, and mapped assets. This session highlights strategies for higher education-community collaboration, experiential learning, and building sustainable solutions to local housing challenges.

This dynamic partnership navigates change to revitalize Mount Holly Springs (MHS), PA, through intergenerational and cross-sector collaboration in asset-based community and economic development. This partnership includes elected officials, businesses, nonprofits, community-based organizations, college students, faith communities, and residents.   After understanding MHS’ strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, college students offer “food for thought,” including catalytic investments in education/workforce training, infrastructure, cultural energy, business mentoring, sustainable growth, environmental preservation, and transformation of a school into a commUNITY center, complete with grant application language. With permission, I could also facilitate a discussion of conference participants' examples of Community Development