Community Vitality Update

October 2004 Issue No. 12

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.

Entrepreneur Development Strategies Featured at Academy - Oct 20

Community leaders, economic developers, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders interested in stimulating more entrepreneurship in local communities are encouraged to register and attend the Statewide Academy on Community Entrepreneurship in Fairfield on October 20. Keynote speakers will discuss several nonmetro projects from across the nation that are successful in developing and mentoring entrepreneurs. In addition, leaders involved in several entrepreneur development projects from across Iowa will be featured during the day. The conference provides a unique opportunity to examine several different community strategies and approaches. Participants also will have an opportunity to learn about Fairfield’s entrepreneurial programs, which won the 2003 National Entrepreneurial Community Award from the Kauffman Foundation and National Center for Small Communities.

CVC has spearheaded the organization of the conference along with the Fairfield Entrepreneurs Association and the event is co-sponsored by several statewide organizations, including the Iowa Area Development Group, Iowa State University Extension, Iowa Bankers Association, Federal Home Loan Bank, Professional Developers of Iowa, Iowa State Association of Counties, League of Cities, and Iowa Departments of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs.

The early registration fee is $35.00 per person before October 12th and includes lunch and materials. To encourage teams from across the state, email cvc@iastate.edu for a vehicle expense scholarship reimbursement for car pools with two or more people per vehicle attending the conference. Due to community fiscal pressures and distance from some areas of the state, CVC is providing scholarships to encouraging teams of community leaders to attend. Program and Conference Registration info is available on the CVC website https://www.cvcia.org/content/conference/index.html or register by calling Becky Johnson, Registration Coordinator, at 515-294-3000.

$5000 Business Plan Competition Generates 7 Potential Startups

Those who believe that only metro counties have sufficient capacity to incubate and mentor business startups should take note. Last year the CVC Board provided minigrants for two nonmetro Community Entrepreneurship Centers and encouraged the concept of building a network of communities interested in sponsoring local business plan competitions. Mount Pleasant was one of the communities that received a mini-grant. It took the ideas, created a steering committee of diverse partners, found a $5000 award donor, and created local teams to judge and mentor the applicants. Seven potential startups were generated and the award announcements will be made at the local chamber banquet in October. Jennifer Daly, Executive Vice President of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance is the local contact person who spearheaded the effort. Jennifer will discuss the "nuts and bolts" of Mount Pleasant's initiatives as a panelist on the Community Entrepreneurship Academy program in Fairfield on October 20.

Boomtown USA comes to NE Iowa

Boomtown USA author Jack Schultz was the keynote speaker at this year’s NE Iowa Community Development Conference. About 200 community leaders heard his discussion of 7 ½ Keys to big success in small towns. These keys include (1) Adopt a Can-Do Attitude, (2) Shape Your Vision, (3) Leverage Your Resources, (4) Raise Up Strong Leaders, (5) Encourage an Entrepreneurial Approach, (6) Maintain Local Control, (7) Build Your Brand, and (7 1/2) Embrace what he calls the “Teeter-Totter Factor.” The book provides a national list of nonmetro communities that he says follow the keys to success. Ames, which is now a metro community, was the only Iowa community that made his top 100 “Agurb” communities. However, his top 2.5% included Hawarden, Marengo, Mason City, Newton, Osceola, Pella, Spirit Lake, and Winterset.

The Conference Breakout Sessions featured several community entrepreneurship and philanthropy topics. Use of the CVC Wealth Transfer Study was highlighted in one session. In addition, economic development leaders in 6 Northeast Iowa counties are collaborating in a CVC pilot project initiative to enhance local entrepreneurship using the MyEntre.Net program and a train the trainer process. For more information on these two programs, see the CVC website: www.cvcia.org .

Philanthropy Satellite Program Series Continues 7 p.m. on October 25

The 3rd in a series of four statewide satellite meetings on Community Philanthropy will air at 7:00 p.m. on October 25 at many county extension office locations across Iowa. The panel includes (1) Mike Miller, Division of Community Development, Iowa Department of Economic Development; (2) Johni Hays, J.D., Senior Planned Giving Consultant, The Stelter Company; (3) Patricia Moline, Executive Director of Development, ISU Foundation; and (4) Mark Edelman, Community Vitality Center Director and ISU Extension Economist. Rick Morain, publisher of the Jefferson Bee & Herald and Community Vitality Center Board Chair will moderate the panel. After short presentations, the panel will respond to questions called in from across the state. Topics to be covered include timeline and guidance for state incentives, legal perspectives in planned giving, strategies and methods of attracting donors, and selected best practices in forming local affiliates.

The satellite program will be one hour in length and will be followed by local discussions at most locations. The local discussion will focus on progress made since the previous satellite program and next steps to be taken prior to the next program. The next program is scheduled for November 29th.

To find the nearest meeting location, please visit the ISU Extension Calendar at: http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/ and enter “Communities” for category and “June” for the month, or contact your County Extension Office to express interest in attending the nearest site or having a site hosted locally. Copies of the video from the first satellite program can also be obtained by contacting the County Extension Office or the CVC by email: cvc@iastate.edu .

Comments and CVC Contacts

If you have comments, suggestions, innovative ideas, or community success stories, please email us at cvc@iastate.edu and indicate your comment. If you would no longer like to receive this newsletter or are receiving duplicates, simply type “duplicate” or “unsubscribe” in the subject line. For more information about our mission and projects visit our web site at: www.cvcia.org .

COMMUNITY VITALITY CENTER
A Catalyst for Creating Real Impact in Real Communities
The Community Vitality Center Board represents university, agency, and diverse community interests from across the state of Iowa. Iowa State University Extension serves as the administrative host and fiscal agent for the Community Vitality Center.
477 Heady Hall, Ames, IA 50011-1070
Phone: 515-294-3000 Fax: 515-294-3838.