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The University Economic Development Association (UEDA) has selected a University of Memphis project as one of three national finalists for its Excellence in Community Development award.

Steve Redding, research assistant professor of city and regional planning and director of the Regional Economic Development Center, submitted the proposal, “Environmental Systems Enhancement Plan for the Mississippi River Corridor in Tennessee.”  The study, prepared by Redding, assistant professor Charlie Santo, professor emeritus Gene Pearson, and research assistant Nate Ferguson, was conducted for Mississippi River Corridor-Tennessee Inc., a Memphis-based non-profit agency.

Completed in June, the study focuses on the six counties in Tennessee that border the Mississippi River.  Redding explained, “Our plan includes the development of specific tourist interest themes, river centers where visitors can explore the Mississippi River corridor’s natural and cultural heritage, highway and bicycle routes, and strategies for promoting the corridor nationally and internationally.”

Finalists will present their projects at the UEDA Annual Summit on Higher Education and Economic Development in San Antonio in October.

The Regional Economic Development Center has won several UEDA national awards.  The most recent was in 2004 for “Team Covington: Building Tomorrow on the Best of Today.”