COMMUNITY COLLEGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN SELECTED STATES (FLORIDA, ILLINOIS, ARIZONA, SOUTH CAROLINA)

Communities across the nation are attempting to find ways in which they can encourage business and industry to strengthen their local economy. Many communities have found that the local community college can be one of their greatest resources in meeting the employers need for skilled labor. This study sought to identify the extent of local economic development activities by public community colleges in Illinois, Arizona, South Carolina and Florida. The following research questions were addressed. Is there a relationship between: (1) the amount of time devoted to economic development by college personnel and the quality of services the college provides? (2) the position responsible for economic development and the degree of cooperation between the college and other agencies? (3) population density and the quantity of services colleges provide to business and industry? (4) population density and time spent by position in economic development activities? (5) the position of those involved in economic development and the number of responsibilities they assume? Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Occupational Deans and Economic Development Coordinators in one hundred and eleven community colleges in Arizona, Illinois, South Carolina and Florida responded to a two-part mail survey, resulting in a 95% response rate.;Community colleges should develop an economic development action plan to assist business/industry expand and relocate in their communities.;Results indicated: (1) community colleges in these four states were actively involved in economic development and provided a variety of services to business and industry; (2) community colleges cooperated primarily with non-educational agencies rather than educational ones in economic development; (3) population density does not effect the number of economic development services a college offers to business; (4) regardless of population density economic development coordinators and career deans spent more time on economic development activities; (5) there is a relationship between the position within the college and the degree of responsibility presidents, vice-presidents and occupational deans assume for economic development activities.