Southwest Region Jackson County members are moving in new directions. Joe Koziol, superintendent of the Northwest School District and Extension council member, is working with Extension staff members to use existing 4-H and home economics programs to help build the assets of youth in their district.
Assets cover such areas as empowerment, positive values and commitment to learning.
Warren Cook, of the Jackson County Enterprise Group and an Extension council member, is working with Extension on brownfield redevelopment. A major grant proposal to the EPA to catalogue and assess urban brownfields suitable for remediation and redevelopment is being developed. Returning these industrial areas to productive use reduces new greenfield industrial devel opments in farm communities. In addition, low-income urban residents have better opportunities for employment close to home. Eaton County heard from Sue Pigg of the Tri-County Regional Planning organization at its September Extension council meeting.