Community Vitality Update

October 2006 Issue No. 25

Community Entrepreneurship Academy set for Newton on October 19.

The third annual Community Entrepreneurship A statewide “Community Entrepreneurship Academy” will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2006 from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the DMACC Polytechnic Campus in Newton, Iowa. The Academy provides an opportunity for community leaders, economic developers, entrepreneur support groups and others to network and learn about the latest efforts and innovations in building entrepreneurial capacity in Iowa nonmetro communities and rural regions.

Featured Speakers will discuss new “Economic Gardening” strategies for assisting individual firms, community retail sectors, and manufacturing supplier networks, and gardening to access e-commerce. Chris Gibbons, Director of Economic Development for Littleton, Colorado and creator of “Economic Gardening” concepts that have generated national interest will be on hand for discussion at the Academy. In the middle of an economic downturn in his community, this strategy was instrumental in shifting Littleton’s resources toward the assisting of entrepreneurial businesses for more successful development outcomes. Representatives of the Iowa SBDC, CIRAS, and Extension Community Economic Development will discuss their economic gardening strategies for individual firms, retail sectors, manufacturing supplier networks and e-commerce.

Afternoon presenters will discuss efforts from across Iowa that are involved in building rural community networks and business accelerators to support entrepreneurs. Presentations will include Steve and Lynn Adams from the Southwest Iowa Coalition; Tim Putnam and Mark Olchefske from the North Iowa Area Community College Pappajohn Center; Jennifer Daly from Mount Pleasant in Southeast Iowa; and Curt Nelson, Director of Entrepreneur Development, Inc., a partner in Farm Bureau’s Renew Rural Iowa program targeting entrepreneurs with potential for interstate commerce from communities with less than 30,000 in population.

Newton leaders will discuss their efforts in transitioning from the loss of a major employer into a new future with economic vitality. Some of Newton’s local entrepreneurial business ventures will be featured on several tour opportunities, including the new Iowa Speedway, a winery, a biodiesel project, a small manufacturing venture, and an entrepreneurial art venture.

The full day program agenda and registration information are available here. Or, call 515-0294-3000 for additional information. The early registration fee is $40.00 per person on or before October 10 and includes lunch and materials. After October 10 the registration is $50.00 per person.

This conference is sponsored by the Community Vitality Center, Newton Development corporation, Jasper County Economic Development Group, Jasper County Extension, Iowa State University Extension, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa Area Development Group Community Foundation, and Iowa Rural Development Council.

For detailed program information and a registration form click here, or call Becky Johnson, Conference Registration Coordinator at 515-294-3000. You won't want to miss this conference and we hope to see you there.