G.V. Montgomery National Center for the Study of Veterans’ Education Policy

2. The Montgomery Institute G.V. Montgomery National Center for the Study of Veterans’ Education Policy Commission On the Future of East Mississippi and West Alabama Leadership and Education Programs Mississippi Entrepreneurial Alliance

3. A non-governmental, not-for-profit [501(3)-(c)] organization built by RCCI leaders as a neutral convening, resourcing and managing vehicle to support strategic, economic, education, leadership, and workforce regional initiatives. TMI honors the leadership legacy of former Congressman Sonny Montgomery. The Montgomery Institute

4. Regionalism: New Approaches—New Partnerships 1990s Staggering Manufacturing Job Losses 2000 The Montgomery Institute Develop and Advocate Regional Partnerships and Solutions 2002 Commission on the Future of East Mississippi & West Alabama Critical Building Block for Regional Partnering/Competitiveness

5. Regionalism: New Approaches—New Partnerships Setting The Course 2004 Mississippi Entrepreneurial Alliance New Partnership and Delivery System – CJC 2006 The Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development An Evolutionary Step Toward Our “Desired” Future Regional Approaches and Infrastructure Development “Building the capacity of CC/JC’s” • Strategy • Workforce • Networking • Economic • Leadership • Entrepreneurship • Research • Education

6. Rural community colleges are uniquely positioned to enhance economic and educational opportunities in their regions. Trusted by the public, private and nonprofit sectors and valued by all social classes, they can provide a safe, neutral place for mobilizing community engagement. In many communities, they are the only institutions with the stature and flexibility to provide leadership for regional development. The Concept

7. None of us is as smart as all of us. Reject ideas – not people. Deliberate – don’t debate. Give up your ideas to the group. Enlightened self-interest Regional Success Our Guiding Principles

8. 6. Things are the way they are because they got that way. We must balance what is “desirable” with what is “doable” – but dare to dream. To say that a program needs improving is not an indictment of those who work in it. Our Guiding Principles

9. 9. It’s better to do something than nothing while we’re waiting to do everything. 10. This could be the start of something big! 11. Have some fun!! Our Guiding Principles

10. Two Sustainable Regional Initiatives The Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development

11. Invigorating Rural Economies: Mississippi Entrepreneurial Alliance“Connecting Mississippi Entrepreneurs” Building Mississippi’s Entrepreneurial Development System One Community at a Time

12. Initial Team MONTGOMERY INSTITUTE COMMUNITY/JUNIOR COLLEGES USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT & TRAINING DELIVERY & PROMOTION LEADERSHIP & CONNECTIVITY

13. NumberPartners 15 Community Colleges (plus MACJC & SBCJC) 8 Universities 12 State/Regional Organizations 12 State, Tribal, Federal Entities MEA NETWORK

14. An entrepreneurial Mississippi which generates prosperous, dynamic and sustainable communities that fully participate in the global economy. THE VISION

15. To energize and grow Mississippi’s entrepreneurial potential by developing entrepreneurs and providing assistance through partnerships and collaborations with individuals and organizations that are engaged in the study, practice, policy development, and services delivery of entrepreneurship. THE MISSION

16. Build Delivery Capacity Community/ Junior Colleges GROW ENTREPRENEURS Enhance Education & Training Develop Leadership & Community Infrastructure Continuous Improvement & Evaluation Universities Interconnect New & Existing Resources Our Economy Our Communities

17. Build Delivery Capacity Community/Junior Colleges GROW ENTREPRENEURS Enhance Education & Training Develop Leadership & Community Infrastructure Improve Program Evaluation Universities Interconnect New & Existing Resources Our Economy Our Communities

18. Scout/Coaches Programs Identify and recruit aspiring entrepreneurs Coach and mentor existing entrepreneurs Networking Opportunities Share ideas Share best practices Discuss markets Build relationships and collaborations Identify, Recruit, & Assist Entrepreneurs

19. Community/Junior College Awards Programs State Entrepreneur Day Entrepreneur Spotlight Campaign Raise the Profile of Entrepreneurs

20. Linkage Between Education and Entrepreneurship Make Entrepreneurship Programs Available: K through 16 Create Future Generations of Entrepreneurs

21. Build Delivery Capacity Community/Junior Colleges GROW ENTREPRENEURS Enhance Education & Training Develop Leadership & Community Infrastructure Improve Program Evaluation Universities Interconnect New & Existing Resources Our Economy Our Communities

22. “No wrong door/single point of entry” Facilitate listening sessions for service providers by Region Map Regional Assets Link Regional Assets Website “Common” Client Information Database Network Service Providers

27. Build Delivery Capacity Community/Junior Colleges GROW ENTREPRENEURS Enhance Education & Training Develop Leadership & Community Infrastructure Improve Program Evaluation Universities Interconnect New & Existing Resources Our Economy Our Communities

28. MISSISSIPPI’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM – The ideal delivery system for the MEA: Are geographically accessible to the people in all areas of the state; Have as a part of their mission economic & community development; Are deeply involved in economic development efforts; Have a highly successful track record in economic development activities; Are headed by leaders who know that economic development increases the tax base, thus helping the college as well as the county, state, and people WHY CJC’S

29. Reactive No Involvement Proactive WFDC Advanced Technology SBDC/MEA Capacity Building Advancing CJC’sEconomic Development Missions

30. Facilitation Enterprise development Community development Technical Entrepreneur training and education Role of CJC Entrepreneur Centers

31. Build Delivery Capacity Community/Junior Colleges GROW ENTREPRENEURS Enhance Education & Training Develop Leadership & Community Infrastructure Improve Program Evaluation Universities Interconnect New & Existing Resources Our Economy Our Communities

32. Initial Training for Center Directors Basic Course for Directors (one week intensive) The complete instructional program designed to provide the Director with the information necessary to operate the Center Orientation to Support Entities The Directors will visit the support entities for an in-depth knowledge of their services Annual Training For Directors and one designee from each Center, updates, changes, new materials, Round Table Idea Exchange Specialized Training Training sessions provided on a needs basis and tailored to meet specific problems Director Visits to Other Centers An integral component of the training and networking of Center Directors, each Director visits another Center to observe the entrepreneurial program MEA TRAINING PROGRAM

33. New Director Training New Center Directors assuming their positions subsequent to the Initial Training for Center Directors are expected to complete a prescribed training experience within a limited time in order to hold their positions MEA TRAINING PROGRAM

34. Build Delivery Capacity Community/Junior Colleges GROW ENTREPRENEURS Enhance Education & Training Develop Leadership & Community Infrastructure Improve Program Evaluation Universities Interconnect New & Existing Resources Our Economy Our Communities

35. Partnership with USDA Rural Development; State-Wide Leadership Engage Partners in Regional Collaboration Strengthen Capacity of Community Colleges Build Sustainability

36. Designate a Partner for Coordination, Support, Development, and Planning Creation of Regional Entrepreneur Advisory Groups Build Sustainability

37. Build Delivery Capacity Community/Junior Colleges GROW ENTREPRENEURS Enhance Education & Training Develop Leadership & Community Infrastructure Improve Program Evaluation Universities Interconnect New & Existing Resources Our Economy Our Communities

38. Develop Measurement Procedures Evaluate Progress – Share Results Use Evaluation Results to Improve Alliance Establish Benchmarks

39. Rural West Alabama/East Mississippi: At the Crossroads of Economic Transformation Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development Building a 21st century workforce system of innovation and leadership through community & junior colleges to unleash the region’s economic capacity.

40. WIRED Initiative Regional Economies

42. South Star Region • In Mississippi • East Mississippi Community College • Meridian Community College • East Central Community College • Jones County Junior College • In Alabama • Bevill State Community College • Shelton State Community College • Wallace Community College Selma • Alabama Southern Community College

43. South Star Region Economic Impact Zones • In Mississippi • East Mississippi Community College • Meridian Community College • East Central Community College • Jones County Junior College • In Alabama • Bevill State Community College • Shelton State Community College • Wallace Community College Selma • Alabama Southern Community College

45. Pulling Together—Moving Forward The Partnership/Leadership Team Co-Leaders Governors Riley & Barbour Commission (9 Members) Alabama Gov. Appoints 4 • Mississippi Gov. Appoints 4 • TMI President Fiscal Agent Alabama OWD/ADECA Operations Management The Montgomery Institute Advisory Council Taskforces of Partners & Members Workforce Delivery System 8 Community & Junior Colleges Research Alabama & Mississippi University Coalitions

46. Dr. Tim Alford — Director, Alabama Office of Workforce Development Dr. Wayne Stonecypher — Executive Director, MS Community & Junior Colleges Dr. Roy Johnson — Chancellor, Alabama College System Tommy Dulaney — President & CEO, Structural Steel Services Dr. John W. Covington — Superintendent, Lowndes County Schools, AL Wade Jones — President, East MS Business Development Corporation Vicky Locke — Project Manager, Black Belt Commission C. D. Smith — Regional Director, East Central MS, BellSouth Mike McGrevey — President, The Montgomery Institute Bi-State Governor’s CommissionWest Alabama – East Mississippi Alliance

47. Government Federal (USDA-RD, Dept. Labor, Commerce), State, Local, Agencies Community Based Organizations & Associations Informal Relationships Non-Governmental Organizations Partnering: Team Building Piece-by-Piece Networking A “Powerful” Collaboration

48. Transforming and Networking Delivery Systems Economic Development Education Systems Workforce Investment Partnering: Team Building Piece-by-Piece

49. Partnering: Integrated Systems Approach to Place, Knowledge & Asset-Based Innovation Building Governor Riley & Governor Barbour Economic Development Government Federal (USDA-RD, Dept., Labor, Commerce), State, Local, Agencies Community Based Organizations & Associations Alliance Education Systems Workforce Investment Informal Relationships Non-Governmental Organizations

50. Goal 1: Build regional identity around a globally recognized, enterprise-centric workforce. Goal 2: Build a globally recognized, regionally branded workforce by networking and enhancing existing delivery systems and program elements. Goal 3: Integrate workforce, enterprise, industrial development, research, community and educational development into an innovative regional system. Our Goals