Community economic development practice relies on effective project planning and management. CED791 is the first in a 4-course Projects sequence. Over two years, students will define community needs objectively, design a CED project, implement it, document their experience, evaluate impact, and present their work to the academy as a Master146s thesis. Throughout, students will remain in contact with peers and faculty online, post and review their work using distance education software; peer learning is a key element of the Projects curriculum. This semester, students will identify a community problem or issue, research the issue online and through library methods, analyze the issue in consultation with colleagues and community stakeholders, and develop a preliminary project design. Computer software competencies include BlackBoard, word processing, spreadsheets for budgets and proformas, and graphics programs, library and Internet search engines.