ABSTRACT
Since late 2003, Southern Bancorp (Southern) has pioneered a comprehensive and geographically focused community development initiative in one of the most distressed communities in rural America: Phillips County, Arkansas. While it is too early to conclude that Southern’s strategy will achieve its goals, there are initial signs of success. The Delta Bridge Project has generated over $50 million in investments in Phillips County and created the beginnings of an economic revival. From a practitioner’s view, this chapter explores Southern and its theory of change; the status of Phillips County; the components of Southern’s new community development strategy; and Southern’s innovative financing packages and leverage.
