Dumas/Desha Have Opportunity to Deliver a National Progress Report Per State and Federal Leaders ur
Last year people in Dumas were introduced to a dream/vision with a question. Can Dumas be known as ‘The City of Innovation?’ One year later many are saying ‘Yes We Can,’ and demonstrating how it and is being done.
On May 25, 2019, the AR Innovation Hub rolled into Dumas. In a first time visit and new partnership with the Arkansas Innovation Hub, (DAT—C), Digital Arts Technology College Network and Innovation Hub, (a new program being located at the West Dumas Community Family Life and Legacy Center) located at 501 West Bowles the first “INnovation Day” in Dumas/Desha was a success. Whose IN—was the question and invite to ‘all of Dumas-united’, stated organizers. This year INnovation Day is set for September 30th. This day marks 15 months since Dumas received the award. The goal is to showcase Dumas to the nation.
On June 6, 2019, Acting Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Joel Baxley announced the West Dumas Community Family Life Center (WDCFLC) in Dumas, AR as one of 47 rural recipients that received technical assistance to help create and implement long-term economic development plans.
“Investing in connectivity in rural Arkansas is necessary to help individuals, businesses and communities meet the demands of the 21st century. I’m pleased that the West Dumas Community Family Life Center is taking advantage of available resources to bridge the digital divide that exists in our rural communities,” U.S. Senator John Boozman said.
USDA is providing the assistance through an initiative called Rural Economic Development Innovation (REDI). The West Dumas Community Life Center has been paired with the national Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP). Communities Unlimited, the Southern RCAP, is a community development organization that will provide technical assistance to create and implement economic development plans.
One year later, the West Dumas Community Life Center Legacy Center, now operating under the new name, THE LEGACY CENTER in West Dumas, has a report card with some good results. The main program on the mini-campus being developed is a new educational model from The College of Aspiring Artists’ called, Digital Arts Technology College Network, referred to as DAT—C.
The newest partnerships with THE LEGACY CENTER include two food distribution partnerships that are supplying special relief during the COVID-19 pandemic and but will continue throughout the year. Over $300,000 in food service has already distributed. Officers from The College of Aspiring Artists, the REDI leadership team, the Mayor and city employees, the County Judge and county employees have been on site joining volunteers from REDI Backbone Partner ASC Property Management to help organize and distribute the food.
The distribution operation is seeking city, community, and philanthropic foundations to assist with funding the operational cost to recoup and provide resources to sustain the operations through the fall. Over $500,000 in additional food supply is coming through the Dumas REDI distribution with an impact serving multiple communities over a 200-mile radius during the term of June through October.
In order to achieve this goal along with the current operations and future operations for the food distribution services alone, expenses are estimated at $100,000.
In the Digital Age and the digital divide, rural Arkansas must catch up and keep up, fast. To date, no funds have been transacted from the city of Dumas, the county, or any major foundations. To build the new campus the total amount is projected at 3 million dollars. The team believes that if Dumas can build a new hospital, a new municipal building and renovate existing properties, that this too will be accomplished, but it will take ‘all of Dumas united.’
“Dumas can lead the nation from this new development but it will take new mindsets and committed leaders to go beyond the pandemics of settling for poverty, the state of the COVID-19. It will require a vision that moves beyond the past and the question remains open… whose in?,” stated Rev. Arthur L. Hunt, Jr., D.D.
To donate and become a Legacy Partner, please contact Annette Cowen at 870.382.5141 or Linda Hunt Rogers at 870.501.0356.
