Participants apply the knowledge gained through the TCED course work to address a substantial challenge or opportunity related to economic and community development impacting their community or organization. The Capstone Project gives participants the opportunity to contribute to the knowledge-base of the profession while also contributing to their community or organization.
Capstone Projects consist of two major components:
- Report (10- 15 pages double spaced)
- Presentation (5 minutes)
Eligibility – Candidate may begin process after successful completion of TBEDC and four of the six TCED core courses.
Time to Completion – Most Capstone Projects are completed in two to six months.
Project Eligibility – Participants may select a new project or a project conducted within the final year of TCED course work. The topic a participant selects should be a project they are passionate about implementing in their organization or community.
TCED Capstone Process At-a-Glance
Forms and Guidelines
Click here for Capstone Project Guidelines
Click here for TCED Application for Capstone Project
Click here for Exemplary Outlines
Questions or more information about the Capstone Projects:
Contact Kathy Barber, Capstone Coordinator at (865) 974-5719) or kathy.barber@tennessee.edu
As of February 2017, the TCED Advisory Board voted to enforce a two-year maximum for TCED candidates to complete the Capstone Project after finishing core course work. In other words, the last TCED core course is completed, TCED candidates will have two years to finish the Capstone project process.
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2024):
- Discover Cheatham County - Gina Anzaldua, TCEcD
- Embracing Community Growth: Addressing Concerns and Opportunities that Arise in Economic Development - Steven Bower, TCEcD
- The Long Road - How Positive Partnerships Bring Investments - Danielle Hagewood, TCEcD
- Incubation: Minimizing Risks for All - Dylan Hill, TCEcD
- Tourism and the Potential for Growth in a Rural County - Blake Hopper, TCEcD
- Economic Sustainability: Housing Affordability & Workforce Availability - Katie Kortekaas, TCEcD
- The Value in Strategically Distributing PILOT Funds to Drive Economic Development Initiatives - Lilibeth Leon, TCEcD
- Challenges of Site Development - The Story of Clarkrange Regional Business Park - Jill Osborne, TCEcD
- Field of Dreams; The Local Impact of Youth Sports - Carri Beth Rhea, TCEcD
- The Importance of Improving Industrial Property by Clearing Trees and Creating Direct Access - Lisa Samples, TCEcD
- Revitalization Plan for Downtown Bolivar, TN - Vickie Walton, TCEcD
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2024):
- Embracing Evidence Based Programming in County Jails for Workforce Development within the ECD Model - County Mayor Joseph L. Brooks, TCEcD
- The Power of Road Infrastructure: Understanding TDOT's State Industrial Access Program's Vital Role on the Economic Growth of Tennessee - Tintin Czach, TCEcD
- Creation of an Industrial Development Board - Amanda Faurbo - TCEcD
- Utilizing Revolving Loan Funds to Improve Equitable Lending Practices - Stanley E. Fitzgerald, TCEcD
- Tennessee's Workforce Renaissance: Connecting Higher Education, Economic and Workforce Development Agencies, and Business and Industry to Create Pathways to Economic Growth - Dr. Matthew S. Gann, TCEcD
- Sufficient Industrial Property Supply is the Key to Industrial Economic Development Success - Anissa Ingram, TCEcD
- The HBCU's Role in Economic Development - Dr. Dasha Lundy, TCEcD
- Advantages of Issuing PILOTs to Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties in Rural and Suburban Areas - Terry Malone, TCEcD
- Importance of an Existing Industry Program in a Region Poised for Significant Growth - Logan McCoy, TCEcD
- Workforce Development Used to Reduce Recidivism - Mayor William D. Rawls, Jr., TCEcD
- Plateau Partnership Property: A Regional Approach to Economic Development and Unexpected Results - Angela Regitko, TCEcD
- Why Regionalism Works - Shelby Spurgeon, TCEcD
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2023):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2023):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2022):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2022):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2021):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2021):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring & Fall 2020):
- The Marketing, Development, and Revitalization of La Vergne, TN in an Evolving Growing, and Competitive Market - Thomas Broeker, TCEcD
- The Economic Impact of Low Earth Orbit Satellite Broadband Technology on Mountain Communities - Brandon Chadwick, TCEcD
- A Review of the Housing and Rental Market in McMinn County and Its Impact on Economic Development - Dana Ferguson, TCEcD
- Opportunity Zones: Establishing Accountability Through Tools and Partnerships to Meet Community Needs - Dawn Michelle Foster, TCEcD
- Taking Initiatives to Brand and Develop the City of Fayetteville - Kristi Gentry, TCEcD
- Overcoming Identity Crisis through Placemaking: Perks and Pitfalls of Being Nashville’s Neighbor - Mary Laine Hucks, TCEcD
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2019):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2019):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2018):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2018):
- The Importance of a Joint Economic Community Development Board (JECDB) in Stimulating Growth of a Tier IV Community (Campbell County) - James “Andy” Wallace, TCEcD
- Using Parks and Natural Resources for Rural Economic Impact - Stephania Motes, TCEcD
- Recognizing The Priorities Disconnect Between Economic Development Organizations And Elected Officials, Iliff McMahan, Jr., TCEcD
- Developing a Work Ready Workforce: Closing the Gap, Creating the Path - Mandy Christenson, TCEcD
- The New Gateway to Tennessee - Sherri Ferguson, TCEcD
- REFOCUSING THE EDUCATION OF YOUTH INTO LOCAL WORKFORCE INITIATIVES - Steve Hilton, TCEcD
- Potential Site Due Diligence on a (Small) Budget - R. Darrell James, P.E, TCEcD
- Changing the Perception of Manufacturing to Attract the Next Generation of Workers - Teresa Aikens Jones, TCEcD
- Grit, Grace, Place: Enhancing Place with Gallatin’s True Grit and Amazing Grace – Kimberly Baker, TCEcD
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2017):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2017):
- Should Select Tennessee Expand to Include Investment in Buildings - Leanne Cox, TCEcD
- The Way Back Up - Stacey Kidd, TCEcD
- Travel Tourism and Economic Development in Tellico Plains, TN – Gregory Newman, TCEcD
- Can a Foreign Alliance Center for Tennessee be Self Sustaining in Knoxville – Kathryne Ogrod, TCEcD
- Strategic Planning In Benton County, TN – Amanda Paschall, TCEcD
- The Economic Impact of Festivals on Small Towns – Gwen Shelton, TCEcD
- Issues and Challenges of Local Government Supporting a Development Project of Regional Importance - Barrett M. Stevens, TCEcD
- Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Tennessee Downtowns Program – Nancy Williams , TCEcD
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2016):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2016):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2015):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Spring 2015):
TCED Alumni Capstone Projects (Fall 2014):
- Revitalizing Rural Tennessee's ECD Efforts by Amy New, TCEcD
- Role of Universities in ECD-UTM and City of Martin by Brad Thompson, TCEcD
- Creating an Economic Opportunity for an Economically Depressed City with a Vacant Industrial Park by Darrell Williams, TCEcD
- Lewisburg Takes the Silver by Greg Lowe, TCEcD
- The Renaissance of Downtown White Bluff by Jeff Martin, TCEcD
- Brushy Mountain Distillery by Lisa Rutherford, TCEcD
- Aviation Park I by Mark Canty, TCEcD
- The Digital Hub, Job Development in Wayne County by Rena Purdy, TCEcD
- The Revolving Loan Program by Wallace Austin, TCEcD