What Does it Take to “Renew Rural Iowa”? Rand Fisher, President Iowa Area Development Group Annual Meeting January 21, 2011

IADG MEMBERSHIP 60 consumer owned electric utilities & 150 Telcos The economic development leader for Iowa Rural Electric Cooperatives, associated Municipal Utilities, and Independent Telecommunications Companies

IADG Sponsorship

IADG Mission Advance business and community development projects and priorities on behalf of our utility sponsors, members, and economic development partners.

Economic and Community Development Demonstrates Commitment to Community and Service Territory Long Term Strategy –Investing in the Future of the Region –Creating Wealth and Opportunity –Utility Sustainability and Growth

Economic and Community Development Learning from History

Economic and Community Development Boom or Bust?

“Ten Keys for Community Vitality” Lessons from IADG’s 25 years of business and community development work An opportunity for organization assessment and analysis

Ten Keys for Community Vitality The most important key!

“Community Minded” Leadership Team oriented Inclusive and diverse Shared vision and values Proactive and future oriented Embrace change and assume risk

Six Principles of Leadership: 1.Purpose 2.Passion 3.Preparation 4.Perspective 5.Performance 6.Perseverance

Leadership Expectations: alues ision ictories

Ten Keys for Community Vitality “Know Thyself”

“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but they aren’t entitled to their own facts.”

S.W.O.T. Work Six Sector Analysis: 1.Government 2.Economics 3.Demographics 4.Infrastructure 5.Environment 6.Leadership

Ten Keys for Community Vitality “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’re likely to end up somewhere else.” Yogi Berra

“Plans are dispensable. Planning is indispensable.” General Eisenhower

Community Planning is Essential  Begins with Values  Embraces Research & Analysis  Encourages Goal Setting & Prioritization  Allows for Measurement, Reporting & Celebration

Establishing Community Values Harmony & Respect Diversity Economic Strength & Vitality Education Preservation of Small Town Life Cultural Richness, Arts & Recreation Natural Environment Beautification Identity & Reputation Civic Integrity Opportunity Children Seniors Working Families

Ten Keys for Community Vitality “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket!

Multiple Strategies for Economic Development Community Development & Business Development Go Hand in Hand Make your community a great place to:  Live  Work  Shop  Play  Invest  Visit

Community Development Strategies:  Leadership Development  Social Infrastructure  Physical Infrastructure  Workforce Development  Entrepreneurial Development

Business Development Strategies:  Existing Business Retention/Expansion  Entrepreneurial Business Development  Non-Traditional Business Development  Business & Industry Recruitment

Ten Keys for Community Vitality Gardening vs. Hunting

Competition is Fierce!  15,000 Organizations  1,500 Projects  150 Real Projects Do the math...

70% of new jobs and investment come from existing business and industry!

Ten Keys for Community Vitality

Embrace “Non-traditional” Business Development Ideas  Tourism/Recreation  Retirement Development  Historic Preservation  Downtown Development  Film Industry  Natural Resource  High Technology  Entrepreneurship  Value-Added Agriculture

“ Different places, different paths.” Genuine! Distinct! Authentic!

Ten Keys for Community Vitality “You only get one chance to make a first impression”

 Stimulate community beautification and pride  Plan and build thoughtfully  Encourage stewardship of the natural environment

These goals and values are manifested in:  Sign ordinances  Clean up days  Design standards  Capital improvement planning  Gateway enhancement  Nuisance control  Public Art

Ten Keys for Community Vitality “Yes, it takes some money, So build public/private partnerships!”

Maximize your Resources:  Grow your Tax Base  Develop Your Community Foundation  Explore Private/Public Partnerships  Leverage State and Federal Programs

Ten Keys for Community Vitality Let people know you’re special

Promote Your Community!  Branding  Community Website  Public Relations  Point of Presence  Citizen Ambassadors/Networking  Advertising & Promotion  Talking Points

Ten Keys for Community Vitality

Research Planning Promotion Workforce Public Relations Marketing Recruitment Technical Assistance ommunication ooperation ollaboration

One Final Thought! Measurement, Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

“Run your civic and community organizations like a business.” Play to win!

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed individuals can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Meade, Anthropologist