Chance McDavid
Chance McDavid observed a long time ago that it鈥檚 the little things that make a big difference. Through his career as a community developer, he鈥檚 seen small changes build momentum and create significant impacts.
A project director with 亚洲色吧视频鈥檚 , the Lincoln County native encourages Mississippians to see how efforts like downtown revitalization can proliferate. Positioning an area for growth and economic development can start with simply visualizing a community from a first-time visitor鈥檚 perspective.
鈥淏uilding on a community鈥檚 strengths, rather than focusing on what鈥檚 lacking, is called asset-based community development, and these principles underpin my philosophy,鈥 McDavid said.
MSU鈥檚 Stennis Institute engages with communities through programs like First Impressions, Aspire Mississippi, Ripple Effects Mapping and Strategic Doing. This gives McDavid the chance to work alongside partners and civic leaders to identify and build upon resources to meet goals, address challenges and move Mississippi forward.
鈥淧eople in many communities throughout the state have done so much to听position their cities and towns to be stronger and more resilient. When you make a place more attractive, you attract people, and when you attract people, you attract money,鈥 McDavid said.
Also serving this year as president of the Mississippi Main Street Association Board of Directors, McDavid has held several roles over the years that have expanded his broad network throughout the Magnolia State. Based in Clinton, he first joined the university through MSU Extension, serving as a county agent on the Gulf Coast before branching into the community development field.
The MSU alumnus spent two years working with the Greater Starkville Development Partnership before returning to the university, where he鈥檚 held various positions over the past two decades. He also worked with the Mississippi Development Authority鈥檚 community and rural development division.
McDavid said he feels honored to support Mississippians from all backgrounds with strategic planning, training and program facilitation. His role allows him to work with those in statewide to local positions, and stakeholders from government, business, nonprofit and other capacities.
鈥淚鈥檝e gained perspective that helps me understand issues from several angles,鈥 he said. 鈥淭here are many perspectives when it comes to community development, and it鈥檚 a puzzle to put everything together. It takes courage to do the right thing, and it takes patience to see the results unfold.鈥
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