Purdue Extension Community Development Program

05/04/2026

05/04/2026

Purdue Extension supports Indiana communities by providing educational assistance and training in agriculture, health, and human sciences while also promoting community development and guiding 4-H and youth programs. Select your county, find local and online events, follow us on social media and rea...

05/02/2026

Another great episode! Check it out!

04/07/2026

Upcoming R-STEP Webinar
The Economic Effects of Local Renewable Energy Restrictions
April 8
2:00–3:00 PM ET
Free to attend
Join economist Dr. Michael Hicks (Ball State University) as he shares research on how local restrictions on wind and solar development may impact GDP, employment, and fiscal conditions in Indiana counties.
Designed for local officials, plan commission members, and community leaders navigating renewable energy proposals.

Register here:

03/31/2026

Communities across Indiana are weighing decisions about wind and solar development. What are the economic implications?
Join the R-STEP Webinar: The Economic Effects of Local Renewable Energy Restrictions

April 8 | 2:00–3:00 PM ET
Free to attend

Dr. Michael Hicks, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University, will present research examining how renewable energy policies influence local economic growth, employment, and county finances.

Register here:

03/27/2026

Excited to share our new article, "From Assets to Well-being: A Conceptual Framework for Community Vitality" in the Purdue Agricultural Economics Report (PAER). Many thanks to my co-authors Jeff Walker, Zuzana Bednarik, and DeAndre Malone.

This article presents a conceptual framework integrating the Community Capitals Framework (CCF) and the Policy, Systems, and Environment (PSE) approach to understand community vitality and well-being. Community vitality links community assets to well-being outcomes through a dynamic process in which communities pursue shared aspirations of well-being. The framework positions Cooperative Extension and community partners to align asset-based, community-focused programming with well-being-aligned initiatives.

See: https://ag.purdue.edu/commercialag/home/paer-article/from-assets-to-well-being-a-conceptual-framework-for-community-vitality/

Purdue Agricultural Economics, Purdue Agriculture, Purdue University Health and Human Sciences Extension, Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue Extension, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development

03/23/2026

How do renewable energy restrictions affect local economies?

Join our upcoming R-STEP Webinar: The Economic Effects of Local Renewable Energy Restrictions

April 8 2:00–3:00 PM ET Free to attend

Economist Dr. Michael Hicks (Ball State University) will share research analyzing how restrictions on wind and solar development influence GDP, employment, and fiscal outcomes in Indiana counties.
Register here:

03/18/2026

R-STEP Webinar | The Economic Effects of Local Renewable Energy Restrictions

Join us April 8, 2:00–3:00 PM ET for a free webinar featuring Dr. Michael Hicks, Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at Ball State University.

Dr. Hicks will present research examining how local renewable energy restrictions affect county GDP, employment, and fiscal conditions in Indiana.

This session is especially relevant for local elected officials, plan commission members, economic development professionals, and community leaders navigating renewable energy proposals.

April 8 | 2:00–3:00 PM ET Free to attend Register here:

02/26/2026

Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing