Magnolia Strategic Doing Workshop
Do you want to continue to be directly involved in shaping the future of Magnolia and in moving the needle on the ideas and projects outlined in the Magnolia Community Survey results? Join us at the upcoming Magnolia Community Catalyst Strategic Doing workshop on Tuesday, May 3 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the SAU Beyond the Campus in Downtown Magnolia! Check in and breakfast will be from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. with the workshop beginning promptly at 9 a.m. Lunch will be provided.
During the workshop, citizens of Magnolia will utilize the Strategic Doing process to develop immediate, impactful small wins and goals to create transformation in their community.
Follow this link to RSVP for the Magnolia Strategic Doing Workshop!
Magnolia Community Catalyst Public Info Meeting
To learn more about the results of the Community Survey and how you can be involved in the Strategic Doing process, please watch the recording of our Magnolia Community Catalyst Public Info Meeting where our team at UCA goes over the Magnolia community survey results and talks more about the Strategic Doing Workshop in May:
Follow this link to view the recording of the Magnolia Community Catalyst Public Info Meeting.
What is the Community Catalyst program?
Magnolia has been selected as one of five communities in Arkansas to be a part of the Community Catalyst program which is assisting five Arkansas communities in Entergy’s service territory with grassroots citizen engagement and technical assistance training to develop small, actionable community and economic development goals and to serve as a catalyst for longer-term economic development engagements and priorities.
This program is facilitated by our team at the UCA Center for Community and Economic Development in partnership with Entergy Arkansas and the Stennis Institute at Mississippi State University.
This program involves engaging the community at a citizen level to understand the needs and goals of the community and how to achieve those goals through citizen-led community development efforts. Magnolia has already completed their community survey and will be hosting a workshop utilizing the Strategic Doing process to put the priorities lined out in the survey into action. Strategic Doing enables people to form collaborations quickly, guide them toward measurable outcomes and make adjustments along the way. Strategic Doing enables leaders to design and guide new networks that generate innovative solutions. In Magnolia, this process will be utilized to create citizen-led community development efforts based on the results of the community survey (outlined below).
Success Story: Magnolia Community Branding Process
As a part of the Community Catalyst program, the University of Central Arkansas Center for Community and Economic Development (CCED), Thrive, Inc. and Entergy Arkansas partnered with the city of Magnolia to develop a new community brand and logo. It is the first official brand and logo Magnolia has adopted.
The new logo features a magnolia blossom and incorporates warm shades of green and blue. The brand portrays Magnolia as an ideal place to embrace and celebrate the everyday joys of life and reflects on the city’s natural beauty.
Follow this link to view the press release about the branding process.
Magnolia Community Survey Results
Magnolia received 628 responses to the community survey which represents roughly 5.6% of the Magnolia community. The survey received responses with a diverse representation of ages, employment status, and employment industry.
The survey collected information about the community and asked key questions that will help shape the future of Magnolia including the community’s personality, community focus areas, and specific projects that the citizens of Magnolia think need to be addressed.
As a part of the Magnolia Community Survey, citizens were asked “Which words best describe the personality of your community?” This question unveiled how internal stakeholders at the local level perceive the city of Magnolia. The top words used to describe Magnolia include: Small Town, Friendly, Conservative, Down Home, Rural Living, Family-Orientated, and Laid Back.
The next part of the Magnolia Community Survey asked citizens about the most important focus areas for the future of Magnolia from a provided list of options. Here are the top five responses:
- Job creation
- Youth and Family Activities and Services
- Education and Workforce Development
- Healthcare
- Downtown Development
While the identification of the most important focus areas for Magnolia to capitalize on for the future will provide a clear direction for the community, citizens were also asked to share specific projects they want to see completed. The top five projects citizens shared include:
- Job Creation and Workforce Development: responses included a general desire for more diverse industry and workforce options.
- Family Recreational Activities: responses included a need for movie theaters, bowling alleys, community events, and other family friendly activities.
- Downtown Revitalization: responses included additional beautification efforts, revitalizing dilapidated buildings, and additional support for local small businesses.
- Hospital and Healthcare System Improvements: responses included general improvements to existing healthcare system in Magnolia and development of drug addiction services.
- Retail and Restaurant Development; responses included a desire for recruitment and development of additional retail options and more diverse restaurant offerings.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the Community Catalyst program please reach out to Dylan Edgell at dedgell1@uca.edu.
Click here to learn more about the Community Catalyst program.
