Community Vitality Update

December 2004 Issue No. 14

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.

CVC Community Entrepreneurship Alliance concept discussed at IBF

CVC was invited to discuss its "Iowa Community Entrepreneurship Collaborative Alliance" (ICECA) concept at the Iowans for a Better Future Legislative Forum as part of the Economic Development Goals Panel during a December 8 meeting at the Pappajohn Educational Center in Des Moines. The concept is to encourage efforts to enhance rural community entrepreneurial development capacity in nonmetro areas of Iowa linked to regional and statewide expertise and resources. The concept is based on ideas generated during CVC/Pappajohn Center efforts during this past summer to spearhead a 30 member coalition/collaboration to respond to the W. K. Kellogg Foundation's Entrepreneurship for Rural Regions RFP initiative. The CVC concept appeared to receive a positive response from the 45 participants and legislators attending the IBF forum. The Southwest Iowa Coalition endorsed CVC's latest concept at their forum earlier in the week. To review the 2-page "yellow paper" concept, see CVC's website: www.cvcia.org and click on the first item under "Community Entrepreneurship Information."

County Endowment Entity Application Process Feb. 1 to May 1, 2005

County Foundation entities in non-gambling counties planning to attain legal status for receiving $50,000 to $60,000 in annual gaming revenues for HF2302 distribution to local philanthropic and charitable purposes should look for the program and application announcements around February 1. The initial plan is for the applications to be due May 1 with revenues distributed beginning fall of 2005. A draft application form which is subject to revision includes evaluation of four factors: (1) Strength of collaboration and diversity of leadership, (2) Board representation from entire county, (3) Identification of countywide needs and manner in which needs will be addressed, and (4) Plan for growing philanthropic activity across the county.

Groups seeking advice on identifying needs countwide may consult the CD-DIAL website: www.extension.iastate.edu/cd-dial/ . CD-DIAL has years of experience in helping local groups conduct needs assessment surveys. CVC has also put together a template survey instrument that may be helpful. For this and other related information see the CVC website: www.cvcia.org and Click on Community Philanthropy Presentations for the Nov. 29 Enhancing Community Philanthropy Satellite Program. This program was co-sponsored by CVC, ISU Extension, Iowa Council of Foundations, and IDED.

Endow Iowa Matching Grants Deadline March 1, 2005

The Iowa Values Fund legislation established an Endow Iowa Tax Credit Program administered by IDED and an Endow Iowa Community Matching Grant program administered by the Iowa Council of Foundations. There is approximately $155,000 for matching grants up to $25,000 each and a similar amount in 20% tax credits for donations made to permanent endowments used as part of the application for the matching grants. The program was announced on December 1, 2004 and the Application deadline is March 1, 2005. For more information about the application process see the Endow Iowa website http://www.iowalifechanging.com/endowiowa/ or the website of the Iowa Council of Foundations: http://www.iowacounciloffoundations.org/functions.htm . Awards are scheduled to be announced on April 1st which is April Fools Day.

3 CVC Awards for Community Business Plan Competitions

Local sponsors in Henry, Lee, and Boone Counties will be receiving $5000 mini-grants for raising matching funds and operating a local Community-based Business Plan Competition during the coming year. Each community will raise an additional $10,000 or more in local funds and in-kind contributions for the competition awards. After each community announces the program, aspiring entrepreneurs apply to the local program, develop a business plan, and submit their business plan for judging and evaluation. The awards are provided to the winners to help in starting the new local business. (See www.cvcia.org for more details about the program.)

Northwest Iowa Entrepreneurial Workshop Draws 55 in Sheldon.

Eight Entrepreneurs shared their stories and answered questions about their challenges and successes in starting their businesses to 55 participants in Sheldon on December 2, 2004. The NW Iowa Entrepreneurial Workshop was organized by Iowa State University Extension, O'Brien County Economic Development, and Northwest Iowa Community College with a grant from the Community Vitality Center. Each participant received a notebook of entrepreneurial tools. Evaluations from the participants will drive the next steps in supporting local entrepreneurs.

Southwest Iowa Entrepreneurial Training Attracts 57 in Denison.

Four local sponsors including the Crawford County Extension Office, Crawford County Development Corporation, Denison Chamber, and Western Iowa Tech are collaborating to host an 12 week Entrepreneurial Training Class through ISED Ventures and the Southwest Iowa Coalition Entrepreneurial Center Initiative. The program in Denison has attracted 57 participants many who are coming from the outlying areas and communities in Crawford County. A similar class in Atlantic has drawn 22 participants.

Happy Holidays and Cheers for 2004 accomplishments. Looking forward to 2005. 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