What we've learned about regional development through MSDI: - Structure, History and Future of MSDI - Initial Insights - Evaluation Outcomes - Framework for Evaluation - Delta Census Data Presentation

Structure, History and Future of the Mid South Delta Initiative

Conceptualization of the MSDI began in 1996 and was organized in response to a series of regional "linking visits." MSDI's original intention was to assist in the social and economic development of the region through four connected strategies:

1. Strengthening community-based leadership and economic development

2. Strengthening economic development organizations in the region, and connect them to communities.

3. Create regional networks that support shared learnings, establish new sources of development capital, encourage business start-ups, and create more jobs.

4. Identify additional resources to increase economic opportunities across the region.

During the first year, an advisory group - the Delta Initiative Advisory Coalition (DIAC) - was created within the region. Five community teams were identified for economic development projects.

Strategy 1

In the summer of 1998, the five communities submitted proposals for projects, and the projects were funded. Strategy one began with the five Round I community partners who helped the Foundation form a principle-based, community development initiative. This phase focused on strengthening community-based models of leadership and economic development through capacity building and connecting new coalitions to regional resource structures. It also continued to support community-based economic development models that focused on traditionally under-served communities that built collaboration across private, public and nonprofit sectors.

In 1999, ten new community coalitions joined this emerging network. They spent a year developing new leadership teams and identifying projects around which the community could rally. Community partners received funding to implement their economic development projects for three-four years and to participate in regular gatherings, training workshops, and in an online community. Community-Led Change section.

A complementary regional leadership Initiative built upon the core principles of MSDI,the Mid Delta Leaders Program, was launched in 2003 through a new collaboration of universities in the Delta that each had strong experience with local leadership development programs. The goal is to identify and encourage a new generation of leaders and expand their understanding and use of three major systems:

• Education

• Public policy formation

• Community-based economic development

To learn more about this program and to download a Mid South Delta Leaders Program Application, please click here.

Strategy 2

In this strategy, the Foundation is working with several regional economic development partners to increase the impact of their efforts and to increase the level of investment in the region. The broad goal is to strengthen the capacity of economic development organizations in the region and connect them to communities in need. Grantmaking targets included organizations that provide technical assistance, that lend and invest venture capital, that train youth and adult entrepreneurs, and that increase mortgage lending and business expansion opportunities to low-wealth families.

Strategy 3

The third strategy in the Initiative focuses on building and convening networks across the region that promote access to economic opportunity in the Delta. Such networks will bring together the vast array of local, state, regional, and federal organizations that focus on economic development and connect them with communities that need their services and their knowledge base. These organizations may include community development corporations, community credit unions, and local and regional marketing cooperatives that enable communities to react to new opportunities. The primary investment partnership will be between MSDI and the Enterprise Corporation of the Delta, through the Emerging Markets Partnership. This comprehensive economic stimulus effort is built upon four goals:

• Promote job creation, retention, and advancement

• Stimulate entrepreneurship and business development

• Foster asset development among low- and moderate-income individuals and families; and

• Strengthen the infrastructure that enables Delta businesses and workers to compete in the new economy.

Strategy 4

In the fourth strategy, the Initiative plans to increase resources from public and private sources and to catalyze joint investment with other WKKF program areas for economic development. The expected outcomes include

• Building the capacity of organizations to partner with one another and with regional and national partners;

• Increasing external investments in the region by 2006;

• Increasing the amount of investment from the private and government sectors by 2006; and

• Informing public policy that generates new and/or expanded funding of economic development initiatives in the region.

The Mid South Delta Initiative is a program funded through the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's Food Systems and Rural Development programming area.