IRP BoardListening Session Results

OCTOBER 11 , 2011IDAHO RURAL PARTNERSHIP BOARD

MEETING

Four simple questions Your vision for rural Idaho Frequent community responses Discussion

What We’ll Cover

Four Simple Questions

1. What don’t you want to see in 5-10 years?

2. What do you want to see in 5-10 years?

3. What obstacles might yield undesired outcomes?

4. What assets support desired outcomes?

#. High-frequency responses.(Frequently mentioned themes that don’t fit major categories)

Your Vision

What don’t you want to see in 5-10 years?

Outdated infrastructure with insufficient capacity

Lack of jobs > loss of people/resources/tax base

Rapid, unplanned growth; cultural change; loss of small town identity

Increase in federal and state requirements Fewer and lower quality educational opportunities Increase in drug use and other crimes

What do you want to see in 5-10 years?

Business development, related job opportunities

Leadership > cooperates, collaborates, coordinates

Strengthen small-town character and local identity through physical revitalization, enhanced curb appeal, and revitalization of commercial properties

Opportunities for high quality K-12 and adult professional/technical education

Well-maintained natural and built infrastructure

Cities doing financial planning and building reserves. Protection of open space and natural

infrastructure/heritage.

What obstacles >undesired outcomes?

Inflexible top-down regulations and policies that ignore local conditions

Changing or inconsistent leadership Ownership, wealth, and people leaving

communities (due to lack of job and other opportunities)

Insufficient funding and related budget shortfalls

Infrastructure capacity can’t support business growth Rapid population growth and associated cultural

changes. National and global economic factors beyond local

control.

Assets that support desired future?

Natural resources/landscapePeople: smart, creative, committed, hard-

workingSmall-town lifestyle and character +

associated values and outdoor recreation opportunities

Professional development, technical assistance, and funds from agencies, universities, and organizations Technology/information that inform strategy

development. Relatively easy access to policy and decision

makers. Affordable utility rates. Spirit of collaboration.

What Communities Tell Us

What they don’t want to see…

Outmigration of youth after high schoolLoss of senior population, income and

knowledgeEnvironmental degradation (air, land, and

water)Lack of vision and optimismUnplanned development > loss of small-town

valuesInadequate code enforcement > slum and

blightInsufficient support of local businessesLack of diversity in local business

What they do want to see…

Job creation, economic developmentActivities and opportunities for youthCollaboration between leadership and

residentsMaintain environmental and recreational

resources Preserve small-town identityMaintain or expand volunteer

pool/involvementEveryone rowing in the same direction-

forward!

What they perceive as obstacles

Old/dynastic thinkingHistoric rivalriesPersonal and political agendasDiscouragement, despair and disinterestLack of resourcesFinite volunteer poolOutside forces at odds with community

interestInsufficient local control

What they perceive as assets

People (youth, seniors, volunteers)History and cultureSense of community, small-town feel and

valuesClean air and waterForestsRecreational and landscape valuesUnderutilized space (built and natural)

Discussion

Questions? Surprises? Paradoxes? Next steps?