5 Keys to Small Town Success It’s About Resilience, Not Growth Small Town Forums 2015

Trends People moving from small towns and rural areas to metro areas

Trends Other issues facing small towns

Resiliency Community resilience is a measure of the sustained ability of a community to utilize available resources to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations.

Resiliency

The Keys, Please….

Leverage Ever feel like you are ready to reach new heights, but you don’t have the assets you need to get the job done?

Leverage Using leverage to balance assets and needs Knowledge Skills Volunteers Grants Financing

Leverage Methods: 1.Community inventory and associations 2.Establish networks, linkages & channels 3.Keep the network activated 4.Bring support together as needed

Leverage Example – Potosi, WI Population - 689

Spatial Relationships Maximizing benefits of spatial relationships Density, Proximity, Space & Connections

Spatial Relationships Methods: 1.Use your Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance to ensure activated space is tightly clustered. 2.Consider acquiring vacant property. 3.Ensure that the destinations within your community are connected with both paths and good roads.

Spatial Relationships Bottom Line: Increased Interactions = Opportunities (income, employment, business) Innovation & Creativity Public Health Capacity

Spatial Relationships Example – Mazomanie, WI

Collaboration Regional Cross-sector Public-Private Private-Private

Collaboration Successful Collaboration: Shared Perception of Need Collaborative Leadership Trust Mutual Benefit Stakeholder Support

Collaboration Obstacles to Collaboration: Turf Protection Competition for Growth Historic Rivalry Perceived Loss of Identity, Access, Reduced Control and Accountability, Threat to Status Quo

Collaboration Methods: 1.Meet with your regional peers, major institutions and organizations. If a business, meet with your competitors. 2.Establish a schedule of regular meetings and a standing agenda. 3.Seek out common cause, share information and find reasons to work together.

Collaboration Example – The Marketplace, Gays Mills

Community Health Physical Mental Social Well-being

Community Health Methods: 1.Ensure access to healthcare & fresh food 2.Multi-modal linkages to all community destinations 3.Physical activity infrastructure – parks, recreation programs, clubs, employers 4.Make health a shared community value

Community Health Example – LIFE Foundation, Cross Plains, WI

LIFE Foundation – 5 Year Strategic Objectives Wellness Centered : Community Wellness Fitness Center Trails Prevail : Ice Age Trail, Good Neighbor Trail, Conservancy Trails Fitness First : Individual adapted health through fitness classes Empower Social Support : Empower Kids, Adults & Employees; Healthy Lifestyle Programs / Step Up Walking Club

To School & Back : The Walking School Bus, The Bike Train, Paint the Bike Lane Rethink Your Drink : A choose water campaign Know the Code 5210 : Vegetables, screen time, exercise & SSB prompt card Gardens Grow : Gardens – Community, Home, Preschool, Senior; Farmer’s Markets, CSAs LIFE Foundation – 5 Year Strategic Objectives

Support Local Local Business Local Non-Profits & Foundations Local Initiatives Volunteers Community Leaders

Support Local Methods: 1.On-going community awareness 2.Matchmaking programs - volunteers with community needs, local buyers with local suppliers, funding needs with local donors/crowd-funding 3.Stagger/combine local initiatives 4.Appreciate community leaders

Support Local Example – Central Rivers Farmshed, Stevens Point, WI Central Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas™ showcasing the best in local farms and food in Central Wisconsin Salvation Army Hope Center Meals Each month volunteers source and donate ingredients and prepare a meal, ensuring that those in-need have access to fresh, local foods. Farmer Tribute Dinner invites producers to dine on a locally sourced meal in celebration of the harvest. Community members attend and sponsor the farmers meal as a tribute to their hard work. Local Food Fair brings together producers, consumers, local businesses, and educators to celebrate community and the food that’s grown within it.

Support Local Example – Central Rivers Farmshed, Stevens Point, WI

Conclusion Focus on resilience before growth Leverage assets and resources Pay attention to spatial relationships Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate Stay healthy – physically, mentally & socially Support local businesses, schools, initiatives, farmers…….

Thank You! Gary Becker Vierbicher Local Government Institute of Wisconsin