THE VISION BEGINS The “Think Big Dream Team”  The team had representation of the region’s financial and advocacy organizations that:  Have over a decade of experience with support services for the region.  Have an intimate awareness of requested needs.  Understand HOW to deliver services.  Were spawned and empowered by communities. The Challenge  “How do we optimize our ability to fulfill requested needs and services?”

HISTORICALLY Independently they provide on a limited basis:  Financing  Technical Assistance  Housing  Agricultural & Horticultural Research  General Economic Development Support  Grant Writing Services for Small/Micro Businesses  Communications Networking

Draw on one another's expertise and provide seamless services for the region Basic Financial Training for Low Income People Home Ownership Development of Regional Philanthropy Sustainability Options for Small Producers Youth Entrepreneurship/Retention Business Financing Business Expansion Communications Technology Training Customer Service Educational Programming Housing Technical Assistance Business Development Iowa Sales Network Regional Housing Trust Fund Individual Development Accounts Expanded Efforts in Rehabilitation/New Construction Market and Customer data for small agricultural producers Commodity-based crops: bio-energy, bio-diesel; bio- tech pharmaceuticals Business Plan Development Business Research and Development Legal Cash Flow Projections Grant Writing Micro Enterprise Loan Program Tax Credit Training/Clearinghouse Iowa Sales Network: Product to Market Venue Local, regional, state, national and global marketing and advertising support Fulfillment of economic development organizations’ requests Retain and recruit new residents to the region

The Iowa Sales Network will be a web site presence developed by the Center that enhances the opportunities for economic success  of rural entrepreneurs by expanding their market into Iowa and across the United States,  of rural communities by expanding existing businesses, increasing the number of start-up businesses, and by creating new jobs at good wages,  and of small producers utilizing the advances in horticulture by opening local markets for selling their products.

The Iowa Sales Network will: serve as the mechanism for the Center that will provide a successful venue for product to market for micro-enterprise, small business and small agricultural producers. be distinctive from other, basic e-commerce sites developed by non-profits for use by for- profit businesses. Become self-sustaining and provide a substantial revenue stream for the Center’s general operating budget.

Micro-Enterprises & Entrepreneurs will be successful because: The Center Staff will ensure that the necessary support services are available for upstarts and during typical “at risk” stages The ISN will provide them with what they can not do singly:  highly automated system of accounting, billing of customers  volume affordable credit card and e-check service  advertising  marketing  shipping  networking for small ag producers to fill institutional orders

IT WILL BE LIKE BRINGING A BUSINESS TO SOUTHWEST IOWA THAT EMPLOYS 200 PEOPLE WITHIN THE FIRST 3 YEARS AT $25 AN HOUR

Piecing it Together: We begin with a marketing component of the ISN “Window Showcases” Funded in Part by the CVC Partners/Support Include  The Southwest Iowa Coalition  The Grow Iowa Foundation  ISU Extension to Communities  The Wallace Foundation for Rural Research & Development

Window Showcases The Concept  A Viable Product to Market Mechanism  You can build it — they might not come.  Brick & Mortar Showroom  Visual Access to Product  Networked Through Existing Community Web Sites  Critical Mass Necessary for a Varied Shopping Experience Side Benefits  Adds Viability to Main Streets and Town Squares  Tourism Attraction  Begins to Brand the Region

Window Showcases How does it work?  22 Counties — Located 13 Empty Storefronts

Window Showcases $50 per Product Per Product / 1 Per Window All Thematically Dressed Shop on Line or From Information on Label Awareness  Community visitors  Web site traffic  Press releases  Brochures  Visible during community existing events

Window Showcases Strategically placed: traffic/existing tourism events

Window Showcases Finding the Vendors/Products

Window Showcases Securing Community Web Sites — Building the Pages

Window Showcases Dressing/Designing

Window Showcases Networking in Action  Time  Most have a full-time job  One/Two producers  Don’t have to maintain the Web page  Cost  Savings on marketing/advertising  Can not afford to reach a broader market  Can charge more for the product  No Overhead in Consignment  Joining for a Bigger Impact  Visual Presence  E-Commerce Traffic Capturing Current Visitors to Web sites  Variety

Window Showcases Challenges:  Afraid of Competition  Afraid of Legalities  Schemes  Stressed Chambers  A Lot of Education Time  Can’t Provide Technical Assistance

Window Showcases Where are we now?  Temporary Windows  Attracting Vendors  Produce the Brochure  In Time for Thanksgiving Traffic and Christmas Sales

What Happens Now Secure Funding for Comprehensive ISN  Foundations  Federal  State They Choose to Maintain  Grow the number of windows  Local Web page maintenance  Local presence to update windows