Economic Development

at the Barney School

Devon Johnson Assistant Professor of Marketing

AACSB Northeast Business School Deans’ Conference

The Upper Albany Area of Hartford

Source: City data.com

Upper Albany Demographics

Source: Citydata.com

The City of Hartford

City of Hartford Demograph-ics

CaucasianAfrican American American Indian Asian American Hispanic or Latino

Hartfor

d

Conne

cticu

t0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

22%13%

48%

21% Foreign bornNon-English speakers

Source: Citydata.com

Upper Albany Demographics

Mission: “To preserve, revitalize and support the commercial district.” Designated in May 2000 August 2002 – granted 501c (3) designation Under the leadership of Executive Director Ms. Marilyn Risi UAMS works in partnership with University of Hartford 1st urban Main Street Program in Connecticut

Started by: Margery SteinbergAssociate Professor

Civic Engagement: Upper Albany Main Street

UAMS Office - 541 Albany Avenue

• In 2002 Marketing Professor Margery Steinberg developed a business practicum course:

• Micro Business Incubator or Marketing & Management Practicum • A full semester 3 credit course that pairs U. Hart students

with a micro-business in the Upper Albany Area

Sharing Intellectual Capital: with the Upper Albany Community

A Service Learning Course Model:

Service Learning Course Design Workbook, Michigan Journal of Community Service

Learning (Summer 2001).

Objective(s): To provide experience working directly alongside professionals involved in economic development in a disadvantaged urban area Class Room Strategies: Lecture, student presentations

Assignment: Spend 4 hours per week in business

Assessment of learning: Includes feedback from the business

The Business Practicum or Micro Business Incubator

Instructed by a Business School Faculty – Professor Emerita Margery Steinberg

1. Program vision – University President Walter Harrison

2. Payroll management in micro-businesses

3. Locating and managing a franchise store - CEO of firm family owned 50 unit restaurant franchise business

4. Funding opportunities in Connecticut – Executive Director HEADCO Inc. - Not for profit, Community Development Financial Institution

Spring 2011 Course Sessions:

5. Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce

6. Tax management and tax challenges of micro-businesses

7. Micro-business owner –Challenges and Success 8. Community stakeholder involvement - St. Francis Hospital

At each class students get a chance to describe their project and get feedback from the speaker

Spring 2011 Course Sessions:

Micro-Businesses Selection Criteria • Annually UAMS conducts a needs assessment of businesses

within the Upper Albany area. Potential to accomplish the academic and civic learning objectives of the course.

• Graduate assistant manages the relationship with participating micro-businesses. Contacts participating business before the start of the course to assess suitability and discuss participation in the program.

• Assesses the stability and suitability of the micro-business work

environment for the students. • Maintains contact with the business to facilitate student feedback

and maintain business commitment throughout the course.

Projects: What is your most pressing challenge at the moment?

Logo Design

Design Promotional

Materials

Ecommerce - transactions

Web Design

Loan Application

s

Marketing Plans

Civil Engineering

Human Resource

Issues

Redesign of Restaurant

Menus

Merchandising

Market Research

Retail Floor

Layout

Point-of-Sale Upgrades

• More than 73 local businesses involved

• Over 8,800 hours spent by 200 students.

• Modernization: Keep pace with technology • Remain relevant to customer needs

Results to Date:

Funding Sources

• The University of Hartford

• The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

• The Travelers Foundation

• City of Hartford Initiatives

Film: The Upper Albany Story

Questions