How To Keep Small Towns Relevant #IowaLeague17 How To Keep Small Towns Relevant Jeff Davidson , Gerry Schnepf, Kathy Evert and Scott Peterson Handouts and presentations are available through the event app and at www.iowaleague.org.
PLACEMAKING How to create strong communities: A large segment of the population can now live anywhere there is high speed internet service. How do you put your town at a competitive advantage so that people select your town as the place they want to live? Key factors: housing, schools, high speed internet What are young families looking for? How do you create opportunities for entrepreneurs? How do small towns create economic development opportunities? What used to be important but maybe is not so much anymore? What is important now?
History Focus on smaller, rural communities History Focus on smaller, rural communities Funding & Role of the Community Coach Elements of the program Community Visioning Partnerships Find Money; Do Stuff!
Lake View, Iowa Hometown Pride - Sac County February 2015 Roles and Partnerships Hometown Pride has played in the community – Scott Peterson, City Clerk & Administrator
Lake View Hometown Pride Getting Organized Planning
Hometown Pride Goals Minor Activities: Informational kiosks at historic sites. Creating a community mascot and/or flag. Improving the appearances of neighborhoods. Major activities: Construction of an Event Center Speaker Park improvements including a Splash Pad Tourism Promotion
Successes!!
Splash Pad Design
Audience Participation Polling Questions & Discussion —What planning has your community completed in the last 2 years? vision/strategic plan housing study comprehensive plan trails/recreation plan redevelopment plan or special project plan https://gameday.doubledutch.me/?sessiontoken=bc6aa6fe- 45d3-4a7e-8833- da9b611e632a&mod=polls&pollId=113085 — What amenities/attractions is your community working on at the present time? trails swimming pool/splash pad events/community center library parks or outdoor learning area community garden https://gameday.doubledutch.me/?sessiontoken=bc6aa6fe- 45d3-4a7e-8833- da9b611e632a&mod=polls&pollId=113087 — What organizations or volunteers are leading or involved in these projects chamber of commerce economic development tourism service organizations Hometown Pride All the above https://gameday.doubledutch.me/?sessiontoken=bc6aa6fe- 45d3-4a7e-8833- da9b611e632a&mod=polls&pollId=113088 — Does your community have any of these beautification projects underway or planned this year? main street community entrances clean up of a specific area painting areas of the community landscaping/streetscaping https://gameday.doubledutch.me/?sessiontoken=bc6aa6fe- 45d3-4a7e-8833- da9b611e632a&mod=polls&pollId=113089
Q&A
CONTACT US Gerald F. Schnepf - Executive Director Keep Iowa Beautiful 300 East Locust – Suite 100 Des Moines, IA 50309 Office: 515.323.6507 Cell: 515.321.6354 gschnepf@keepiowabeautiful.com www.keepiowabeautiful.com