Community Vitality Update

April 2004 Issue No. 6

This newsletter provides community leaders, economic developers, entrepreneurs, and other Iowans interested in community vitality with features on innovative strategies, updates on CVC projects, and info about opportunities for learning and networking.

40 Indicators Identified in Communities of Distinction Project

Forty community vitality indicators were identified from eight in-depth community studies released by the CVC. The “Iowa Communities of Distinction” project examined local perceptions about factors contributing to community growth or the lack thereof during the 1990s and identified lessons learned, best practices and innovative ideas that may be of interest to community leaders and policymakers.

One fast-growing nonmetro community was selected from each regional quadrant of the state. Population growth rates for these four communities ranged from 6.8 percent to 54.4 percent for the 1990s. The other four communities were similar in size and regional characteristics, but lost population. The eight communities included in the project ranged in size from 1,000 to 12,000 in population. On-site interviews were conducted with 75 leaders representing local government, economic development, education, and healthcare. Each community study provides a peek behind the secondary data of growth performance into the insights of local leaders as they reacted to their unique circumstances and local institutions.

The summary report lists 40 indicators of community vitality identified during the in-depth study process. Ten lessons learned and five best practice concepts are identified. A comparison of selected secondary data characteristics is provided for the communities included in the study. For more information click here.

Iowa’s Annual Wealth Transfer $5 billion.

CVC released county by county data and projections of wealth transfer based on Iowa Court Information System probated estate filings between 1998 and 2002. The findings represent wealth that is transferred from the deceased to heirs and others. One strategy for community reinvestment is to encourage current and former residents to consider giving something back to their hometowns as they write their wills. The wealth transfer for Iowa counties ranges from a high of $488.8 million per year in Polk County to a low of $9.4 million per year for Clarke County. If donor bequests represented 5 to 10 percent of the wealth transfer, that would mean $470,000 to $940,000 for community vitality projects in Clark County.

The average size of probated estates across Iowa counties ranged from a high $397,393 per estate in Poweshiek to a low of $156,486 per estate in Monroe County. It is interesting to note that the largest estate found during the analysis period, was worth $70 million and was located in a non metro county. The study shows the total statewide wealth transfer is $4.933 billion per year.

County-by-county projections of wealth transfer for the next 50 years are available based on the county age distribution and an assumed 2 percent inflation rate. This shows many rural counties with higher proportions of seniors will likely transfer a greater portion of the 50-year transfer during next two decades compared to other counties. For more info click here.

Foundation Academy draws 175 participants from across Iowa.

The Foundation Academy held March 29th drew 175 participants from a very diverse audience from across Iowa. Speakers discussed the new Endow Iowa incentives, trends in philanthropy, foundation best practices, and ideas for assisting donors. Presentations focused on one or more alternative models for structuring foundations and community based efforts in philanthropy. Several metro community foundations have focused on developing certified community foundations. Some participants are considering becoming a community foundation affiliate of a certified community foundation. Other speakers and attendees discussed how collaboration and performance have been improved among multiple independent and special purpose foundations that exist in their local communities. The evaluations show that nearly all learned something new and that different presentations appealed to different participants. Academy feedback will be used by the CVC in planning next steps that will be announced in future newsletters. For those interested, power points and presentation summaries can be found here.

College Intern Bios On Web for Communities & Businesses to Consider

The loss of rural youth and fight against “brain drain” were high priorities at the series of ten community forums CVC sponsored last year. CVC has identified the Kossuth County College Intern Program and the ISUE Life in Iowa internship and service learning program as examples of innovative projects that fight “brain drain” from rural communities. Community and business leaders interested in attracting students back to their community may want to check out the new Life in Iowa web site: http://www.lifeiniowa.org/binterns.asp. It includes very brief statements about 110 students from 50 different majors who would like business internships this summer.

You may help local businesses identify talent and help fight Iowa’s brain drain all in one activity by simply referring the web site to those in your community who may find it to be of interest. On the list are 39 engineering majors, 36 business students, plus students in agriculture, design, family & consumer sciences, and liberal arts & science. If you know of businesses in your area that would benefit by having an intern or if you see a good match, feel free to contact Bob Parker at (515) 733-4013 or rmp@parkersolutions.com or Kathy Carlson, (515) 294-4899 or kmcarl@iastate.edu.

Pending USDA funding approval, the CVC plans to work with Kossuth County Economic Development to clone their college intern program in three other pilot project counties next year. Those interested should watch for the program announcement in future newsletters.

Capitalizing on Rural America in Des Moines, April 15-16

The last chance to register for the Capitalizing on Rural America Conference to be held on April 15-16th in Des Moines is fast approaching. The conference will feature some of the nation’s best thinkers about rural policy, rural entrepreneurship, and rural capital issues. It is organized by the Federal Home Loan Bank and will be hosted by Senator Tom Harkin and Senator Chuck Grassley. President Bush has also just announced a visit to the Conference on Thursday. You can see the full conference schedule and register online at www.fhlbdm.com.