Center for Rural Resilience & Workforce Development

The Center for Rural Resilience and Workforce Development's mission is to equip Arkansans with sustainable, accessible research-based practices and expertise to create vibrant, self-reliant communities where businesses, organizations, and families thrive.

Our work focuses on community, workforce, and economic development through the lens of Asset-Based Community Development where every Arkansan is valued for their contribution to their community’s local growth. Our efforts are grounded in Extension’s approach of translating research into practical tools, expanding access to knowledge, building capacity at the local level, and creating measurable impact.

 

Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD)

We believe in, practice, and utilize the lens of asset-based community development where every Arkansan is valued for their contribution to their community’s growth. We work alongside county agents, teaching and training ABCD as a lens in ways that strengthen local approaches to community development and strengthen agents’ work in the county.

  • Asset-Based Community Development emerged from a growing critique of a need-based or problem-solving approach
  • Individuals and communities have assets and capacities.

ABCD Training & Resources

We offer Asset-Based Community Development training for any community or county. A chapter on Asset-Based Community Development in an Extension context is part of the Community Development Essentials for Extension Practitioners curriculum developed through the Southern Rural Development Center in 2026. 

Community Development for Practitioners & Extension Professionals Curriculum - Community Development Extension Library

 

Center for Rural Resilience & Workforce Development Current Programs

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Disaster Recovery

Learn more about the Community Development Disaster Recovery Initiative.
A person guides another person as they complete a task on a computer in the Digital Skills Program.

Digital Skills Program

Expand your career opportunities.
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Community & Workforce Development through Extension Agents

Build pathways for community and economic development in your county.
On the left, a column chart shows the Employed Population by Development District in Arkansas. The Central and Northwest district populations are close to 375,000; the East, West Central, and Western district populations are between 100,000-175,000; and the White River, Southwest, and Southeast district populations are less than 100,000. On the right, the data is shown as color-coded areas on a map of the state, with higher populations in dark blue and lower populations in light blue.

Labor Market Observatory

Learn more about your county and economic development district.
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Grant Writing Support for Nonprofits

Get grant writing help with your nonprofit.
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Arkansas Community & Economic Development Alliance

Find help for you community and economic development projects.