Out-migration, commer-cial center sprawl, and other issues affecting unique rural communities were highlighted in November at a special workshop in Cleveland.

Sponsored by Mississippi State and Delta State universities, along with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the program of workshops, field trips, and case studies examined the culture, history, and future of several African-American municipalities in the area.

Titled "Your Town, The Mississippi Delta," the workshop brought together nearly 30 national, state, and local specialists. The Magnolia State project is the first to focus on the African-American community.

Establishing a model for other areas is a major goal of this effort, said Shannon Criss, director of the Small Town Center, a research arm of the MSU School of Architecture.

The Small Town Center recently has been involved in planning and designing a proposed community center for the Coahoma County community of Jonestown.

Workshop sessions addressed such topics as African-American historic preservation, restoration efforts for black churches, housing, and tourism, among others.