Community development professionals, government officials and citizens who want to improve the economic vitality of New York's municipalities are invited to a conference, "Social Trends and Outlook 2001: Building Economically Healthy Communities in New York State," June 4 to 6 at the Statler Hotel on the Cornell University campus.

Hosted by Cornell's Community and Rural Development Institute (CaRDI), the conference will feature 17 sessions focusing on economic renewal, policy analysis, healthy families programs and development efforts in New York state's Erie Canal corridor.

Workshop topics include: small towns access to the information superhighway, food security, coalition building for small-business development, community economic renewal experiences in New York towns, the changing landscape for retail trade and agricultural economic development at the county and state level.

Following the conference, CaRDI will host the Canal Corridor Workshop, also at the Statler Hotel, on the afternoon of June 6. Conference attendees can register for both conferences at a reduced price.

For registration and price information, contact CaRDI at (607) 255-9510.

The conference agenda and information on registration and area lodging is available online at: http://www.cardi.cornell.edu/events/01STOC.cfm.