UWA partners with UA for Epes community development project

LIVINGSTON — The University of West Alabama participated in an economic development event on Aug. 24 at Epes Community Center, welcoming more than 300 people interested in bettering the community. The collaboration is part of the University’s overall effort to improve the quality of life for Black Belt residents through service and education.

UWA partnered with the University of Alabama’s Center for Economic Development and the town of Epes for the town’s Community Harvest and Wellness event, a celebration of the first harvest of the community garden and orchard. Both were established last year by UWA and UA’s Center for Economic Development.

Two UWA organizations, the Division of Educational Outreach and the College of Business’s Center for Business and Economic Services, contributed $500 each to the establishment of the community garden and orchard. UA Project Coordinator Nisa Miranda provided additional funding for the effort.

“Improving the quality of life for Black Belt residents through education as well as various programs is a primary goal of the University, and this endeavor is a prime example of the efforts that will help further this mission,” said UWA President Richard D. Holland. “Together we are addressing the needs of our region and collaborating to find solutions.”

The University’s mission to serve the needs of the region is fulfilled through a joint effort among several organizations on campus, echoing the unity that Holland says must exist for community development projects to succeed.

“It was an honor to partner with the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development and Mayor Porter and the citizens of the Town of Epes on this important project. It would not have happened without the hard work and commitment of many persons, including Dean Ken Tucker, Dean Tina Jones, and Mr. Stephen Liverman on campus as well as Ms. Nisa Miranda and Ms. Elaheh Hesse, who served as project site director, from the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development,” Holland said.