In July of 2025, I participated in the Basic Economic Development Course at the Auburn University Government and Economic Development Institute, where we learned from industry professionals and competed in an intensive site selection competition. Each group developed a comprehensive site proposal and pitched it to a selection committee of economic developers from all over the country.
The above document is a comprehensive community profile and analysis of Conecuh County, AL, that I completed as part of a group in one of my summer economic development classes. This project taught me how to assess communities and local economies, identify relevant challenges and shortcomings, and develop strategies for improvement. The skills I sharpened with this project, from analysis to strategic planning, have better prepared me to work on similar projects in local government. Additionally, it applies well to several of the core competencies established by the MPA program.
This paper analyzes articles from Planning Magazine, a magazine published by the American Planning Association, relating to land use, zoning, environmental protection, and sprawl, and their effects on contemporary planning activities in the United States. There is a particular focus on forest and farmland preservation, as that topic was of most interest to me at the time. This assignment helped me understand the challenges planners and public administrators are currently facing, as well as their strategies for protecting the nation's landscapes while supporting managed population growth.