Chance McDavid observed a long time ago that it’s the little things that make a big difference. Through his career as a community developer, he’s seen small changes build momentum and create significant impacts.

A project director with Mississippi State’s John C. Stennis Institute for Government and Community Development, the Lincoln County native encourages Mississippians to see how efforts like downtown revitalization can proliferate. Positioning an area for growth and economic development can start with simply visualizing a community from a first-time visitor’s perspective.

“Building on a community’s strengths, rather than focusing on what’s lacking, is called asset-based community development, and these principles underpin my philosophy,” McDavid said.

MSU’s Stennis Institute engages with communities through programs like First Impressions, Aspire Mississippi, Ripple Effects Mapping and Strategic Doing. This gives McDavid the chance to work alongside partners and civic leaders to identify and build upon resources to meet goals, address challenges and move Mississippi forward.

“People in many communities throughout the state have done so much to 

 position their cities and towns to be stronger and more resilient. When you make a place more attractive, you attract people, and when you attract people, you attract money,” McDavid said.

Also serving this year as president of the Mississippi Main Street Association Board of Directors, McDavid has held several roles over the years that have expanded his broad network throughout the Magnolia State. Based in Clinton, he first joined the university through MSU Extension, serving as a county agent on the Gulf Coast before branching into the community development field.

The MSU alumnus spent two years working with the Greater Starkville Development Partnership before returning to the university, where he’s held various positions over the past two decades. He also worked with the Mississippi Development Authority’s community and rural development division.

McDavid said he feels honored to support Mississippians from all backgrounds with strategic planning, training and program facilitation. His role allows him to work with those in statewide to local positions, and stakeholders from government, business, nonprofit and other capacities.

“I’ve gained perspective that helps me understand issues from several angles,” he said. “There are many perspectives when it comes to community development, and it’s a puzzle to put everything together. It takes courage to do the right thing, and it takes patience to see the results unfold.”