Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development participates in housing conferences

MURRAY, Ky. – Murray State University recently participated in presenting two regional conferences discussing solutions for the housing crisis. As the housing shortage continues to negatively impact community growth and economic development, efforts to support the increase of affordable housing and starter homes are ever more needed.

Chris Wooldridge, director of the Murray State University Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development was an attendee and a presenter at both “Convening on Housing” conferences. 

“Housing is becoming the number one challenge for communities across the Commonwealth as well as the nation seeking to grow their populations, workforces, tax bases and economic successes,” said Wooldridge. “Clearly the housing inventory across the nation is negatively impacting growth and development within the nation’s economy and must be addressed. A community without adequate housing cannot offer the quality of life workforce participants demand, and the shortage denies younger generations the ability to begin generating their own wealth which is critical for the nation’s wealth. Murray State University recognizes this impact from the academic perspective and seeks to support efforts for solutions from an outreach perspective.”  

The “Convening on Housing” conferences were held in Sikeston, Missouri (hosted by the Sikeston Regional Chamber and Economic Development Corporation and Alan Wire Company) in May, as well as in Martin, Tennessee (hosted by the UT-Martin Office of Research, Outreach and Economic Development and the Weakley County Economic Development Board) in June. Both events brought together elected officials, community leaders, academics, real estate developers, nonprofits, federal agencies and others seeking to learn, network and develop approaches to housing solutions. Attendees heard about new approaches to housing construction, housing developments, creative financing approaches, program development and the impact of housing on community development, economic recruiting and providing  young individuals and families access to a very important investment and wealth creation asset, a home.

The North Delta Economic Alliance (NDEA) coordinated the events. Murray State University is a founding partner of the NDEA, a multi-state organization that is focused on addressing regional issues that support economic development, job and wealth creation and quality of improvement for rural areas.  The organization is inspired by the Delta Regional Authority (DRA) and led by the graduates of the DRA’s Delta Leadership Institute. Other NDEA partners include: The Sikeston Regional Chamber and Economic Development Corporation, The University of Tennessee-Martin SBDC-REED Center, City of Marion, Illinois, SINow and Arkansas State University – Delta Center for Economic Development.

For more information on NDEA or future conferences, please contact Chris Wooldridge at cwooldridge@murraystate.edu.