Community Development

Purdue has pioneered and excelled in the area of Community Development.  The program grew out of concerns of the farming community for improving its income and quality of life.  Students interested in community development will have access to a highly qualified staff with on-going research programs in regional economics, rural development, and public finance.  Faculty at Purdue are involved in a variety of research and extension projects addressing community development issues, including:

• economic growth
• industrialization
• linkage between farm and non-farm sectors
• retail services
• the operation and financing of state and local government
• identification of alternative institutional arrangements for providing public services
• public educational institutions
• public research issues such as land use, water quality, and waste management
• development of rural leadership
• strategic planning for rural communities