MU students to work on community assessment project for New Concord
NEW CONCORD – For the second year in a row, Muskingum University received the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative grant, funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The university is one of 13 institutions representing 10 states and the only Ohio institution.
Participating schools offer a for-credit seminar during the fall semester to help students develop and execute field-based research projects addressing the unique economic development needs of their communities and align with ARC’s investment priorities. Assistant Professor Dr. William Tooms’s regional planning course and Associate Professor Dr. Stephen Van Horn’s introduction to geographic information course will support the ACRI grant.
This year's project is a community assessment for the Village of New Concord: Place-Based Applied Research for Enhancing Cultural Tourism and Walkability for Economic Revitalization. Students will work with New Concord officials in fall 2023 to conduct a community needs assessment for improving walkability and access to the village's downtown business district, highlighting local historic landmarks, enhancing wellness and eco-tourism through new linkages to outdoor trails and natural resources, improving signage and creating a digital story map of various points of interest around the community.
As a capstone, students will present their work to other student delegations from participating institutions, ARC leadership and community leaders in a formal peer-to-peer conference setting hosted by ARC and the Consortium of Appalachian Colleges and Universities. Presentations will be in December in Washington D.C.
“We are pleased to receive the ACRI grant and once again offer our students this unique, hands-on learning opportunity,” said Van Horn. “We also are looking forward to working with the Village of New Concord and supporting the community that the university calls home.”
Last year, Muskingum University students worked with Zanesville City Council to develop a five-year strategic plan for downtown development, including a plan for destination branding and a GIS Interactive Mapping Application.
ACRI is one of ARC’s four academies and institutes, offering experiential learning opportunities where participants build collaborative networks, hone skills and foster an enduring commitment to Appalachia’s future.
Information submitted by Muskingum University.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: MU students to work on community assessment project for New Concord
