1. 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

2. 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?

3. 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!

4. Lake View, Iowa Hometown Pride - Sac County February 2015
Roles and Partnerships Hometown Pride has played in the community – Scott Peterson, City Clerk & Administrator

5. Lake View Hometown Pride
Getting Organized
Planning

6. 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

7. Successes!!

8. Splash Pad Design

9. 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
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 — 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
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— What organizations or volunteers are leading or involved in these projects
chamber of commerce
economic development
tourism
service organizations
Hometown Pride
All the above
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 — 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
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10. Q&A

11. CONTACT US
Gerald F. Schnepf - Executive Director Keep Iowa Beautiful 300 East Locust – Suite 100 Des Moines, IA Office: Cell: