What Balance Of Social Programs And Economic Development Initiatives Are Necessary For Community Wellbeing And Resilience In The Appalachian Region Of North Carolina?: A Comparative Case
- ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Caitlyn Murray (Creator)
- Institution
- Appalachian State University (ASU )
- Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
- Advisor
- Leah Hamilton
Abstract: In working to address growing inequality in the United States, the current federal administration favors implementation of economic development initiatives and mitigation of social programs. There has been a significant focus in recent years on the relationship between social and economic investment and studies continue to demonstrate that the concepts are interrelated. Community well being and resilience are becoming critical to measuring the outcomes of social and economic initiatives and redefining how progress is measured. Appalachia is a vulnerable region and is especially at risk of receiving cuts to federal aid for social programs and community development. Comparative case studies of two communities were conducted by collecting available data and reports related to measures of community well being and resilience, social services, and economic development and interviews were executed in the communities with social service and economic development professionals. The aim of this research was to begin to develop an understanding of the balance of social programs and economic development initiatives necessary for community well being and resilience through the lens of Transylvania County and Buncombe County, located in the Appalachian region of North Carolina. Both areas are located in the mountains of western North Carolina, have eclectic cultures, and have very similar issues even given their size difference. The assessments of and interviews in each community illustrated similar themes including affordable housing, access to transportation, and adequate living wage. In terms of the proportions of social programs and economic development initiatives which best contribute to community wellbeing and resilience in the communities studied, balance is not quantifiable. Collaboration of social programs and economic development are key to solving common issues in Appalachia and fostering community wellbeing and resilience.
What Balance Of Social Programs And Economic Development Initiatives Are Necessary For Community Wellbeing And Resilience In The Appalachian Region Of North Carolina?: A Comparative Case
PDF (Portable Document Format)
223 KB
Created on 6/21/2018
Views: 528
Additional Information
- Publication
- Honors Project
- Murray, C. (2018). "What Balance Of Social Programs And Economic Development Initiatives Are Necessary For Community Wellbeing And Resilience In The Appalachian Region Of North Carolina?: A Comparative Case." Unpublished Honors Thesis. Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.
- Language: English
- Date: 2018
- Keywords
- community well being, community resilience, social programs, economic development