Rural Housing & Economic Development
 

   The Rural Housing and Economic Development Program, known as RHED, is Little Dixie's newest program.  The program kicked off in February 2004.  The purpose of RHED is to support innovative housing and economic development in our tri-county area of Pushmataha, McCurtain, and Choctaw counties.  Through this program three community development specialists provide training and technical assistance to individuals, organizations, city officials, and community leaders on various topics, such as entrepreneurship, tourism, housing needs, financial counseling, and community projects. 
    One of RHED's biggest projects this year was a series of Cabin Building/Rental Workshops.  The series consisted of three classes focused on business and marketing plans, insurance and other costs, and the facets of tourism.  Tourism has become a booming industry in the tri-county area.  By training communities and entrepreneurs on how to benefit from tourist trade and by developing awareness of what communities have to offer, the tourism industry will continue to flourish.  A tri-county tour of existing cabin businesses and new cabin construction was part of the series of workshops.  As a result of the workshops, six new businesses were created and four were enhanced.
 
Additional information regarding this program can be obtained by calling Little Dixie Community Action Agency at:
580-326-6441.
 
Little Dixie Community Action Agency, Inc., is a member of NeighborWorks America(R) Network