Small Town Success in a Big World … · Regional Assets are Leveraged Environment that Supports...

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Small Town Successin a Big World

Dave IvanMichigan State University Extension

Kentucky League of CitiesLexington, Kentucky

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Did You Know?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmwwrGV_aiE

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Video Thoughts??

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It is not the strongest of the species that survivesnor the most intelligent

but the ones most responsive to change

‐‐ Charles Darwin

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We Live in a Changing Global World…

That requires changes in our economic thinking

Global Competition• Post‐WWII Dominance

• American Declining?Or

World Catching Up?• New Competitors

• We cannot use “Old Economy” strategies to address “New Economy” challenges.

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O L D E C O N O M Y

Inexpensive

Attracting Companies

High quality physical environment was a luxury, in the way of attracting cost-conscious business

Success=fixedCompetitive advantage in some resource or skill

Economic Development is government led

N E W E C O N O M Y

Rich in talent and Ideas

Attracting educated people

Physical and cultural amenities. Key in attracting knowledge

workers.

Success=organizations &individual ability to learn adapt

Partnerships with business, government, and nonprofit

sector lead economic development

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Quality of Place

Pillars to Community Success

Strong Social Capital

Regional Assets are Leveraged

Environment that Supports Innovation &

Entrepreneurship

Human Investments Drive Community Success

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Quality of Place




Environment that Supports Innovation &

Entrepreneurship


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Intentionally focused on identifying and supporting entrepreneurs as they create and grow their enterprises.

Intentionally focused on creating an environment that is supportive of entrepreneurs and their enterprises –entrepreneurial culture.

What have we learned about innovative practices in entrepreneurship development?

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Fairfield, IA

• Recognizes & celebrates entrepreneurs;

• Extensive mentoring program;

• Local Angel/Venture Capital Funds;

• Past 20 years: 3,000 jobs created, personal income tripled;

Community Acts as Entrepreneur

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Communities Support Entrepreneurial Development

Columbus, IndianaCreating “E‐ecosystem”

• Networking events (TEN)• Online biz resources

tailored for needs• HS Business plan

competition– Viability– Innovation

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Communities SupportEntrepreneurial Development

Juneau County, WI• Entrepreneurship

& Innovation Club• Provides new

networks & support systems to advance businesses;

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Communities SupportEntrepreneurial Development

Westphalia, Michigan• Faith community engaged youth group to create student‐run business;

• Filled empty storefront;

• Gathering place for youth in community;

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Communities SupportInnovation Development

Wenatchee, Washington• Community technology

center;• Satellite capabilities to link

the worldYahoo is key tenant;

Nelsonville, Ohio•Arts community•Arts incubator supports innovation with local community college

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Quality of Place




Environment that Supports Innovation +

Entrepreneurship


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Human & Capital InvestmentsDrive

Community Success

For a community to be competitive globally it needs to support new innovations, enhance educational opportunities and strengthen human capital. Successful communities are strategically investing in new economy infrastructure and human capital.

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Some Important Community Assets

Well‐educated youth and commitment to lifelong learning

Green Infrastructure

Vibrant Downtowns Immigrants 18

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Human Investments Drive New Economy Growth

Dubuque, Iowa• Engaging young university

talent;• YP College Chapter to connect

with Chamber;• Internship academy

• Freshman: Shadow• Sophomore: Mentoring• Jr/Sr: Full Internship

• Retention loan forgiveness program;

• Youtube video changing perception;

• “Next five years will define the next 50 years for Dubuque”

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Why Dubuque?

Human InvestmentsDrive New Economy Growth

Zeeland, Michigan• Recognize importance of

industrial design to future;• Recruited/hired world‐

class international designer from California;

• Conducting trainings for independent designers and marketing the region as epicenter for design innovation

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Education EnhancesCommunity Competitiveness

Houston, Minnesota• Grant provided computers to

students district‐wide;• Utilizing online learning to

enhance curriculum;• Home to Minnesota Virtual

Academy;• Provides 70% of school revenue;

Sparta, North Carolina• Developed training certification

program for advanced materials cluster with community college;

• Changing culture among residents relative to education & training;

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Quality of Place





Entrepreneurship


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• Networks that strengthen community bonds;

• Young professional engagement;

• Authentic youth voice


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Strengthening Social Capital

Pella, Iowa• “Positively Pella” campaign

• Strengthens social bonds of new residents

• Retain talent within community

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Third Place Factor

YPO is crucial

Engagement extends into community decision making;

“Thinkers & Drinkers”

Keys to Young Professional Engagement

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“Thinkers & Drinkers” Changing the narrative is important because people move in the direction

of their conversations …..Prosperity

Today Years

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Positive Conversations

Negative Conversations

Source: Ed Morrison

• Connect youth with arts & culture

• Create positive memories

• Provide authentic opportunities for youth voice

Youth Engagement

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Bothel, WACommunity banners celebrate

“youth”;

New York Mills, MNVisiting artist program connects with HS Fine Arts Program

Dowagiac, MIDogwood Fine Arts FestivalWorld-renowned artists and performers offer free clinics to community youth;

Youth Engagement

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Jonesville, Michigan

• Asked older residents why they stayed in Jonesville; top response was childhood memories;

• Surveyed 3rd graders: What do you want in your community?

• Top response: rock wall• Community built rock wall;• Re‐surveyed students in 7th

grade; community received high marks!

Creating Authentic Youth Voices

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Simple Idea For Your Community

Provide disposable cameras to school children and ask to take pictures of what they like and dislike in their community;

Present pictures at future city commission meeting;

Deliberate Effort in Engaging Youth

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Do to Youth Do for Youth Do with Youth

Skateboard Zoning

Trash Cleanup

Focus on Stars and Ignore Other Youth

Teen Center

College Scholarships

Tell Youth the Right Way to Do Things

Youth Events

Decision Making

Listen and Support Youth Discovery

How do communities involve youth now?

33Source: Craig Schroeder, RUPRI

Community Strategies

• Create economic and career choices that are appealing to youth;

• Evolve community cultures that are progressive and embracing of youth and younger generation;

• Proactively link community goals and strategies to the attraction of young people;

• Focus development efforts on those who want to return to their hometown;

Retaining Youth and Attracting Families

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Quality of Place


Strong Capital



Entrepreneurship


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Quality of Place

Place matters as individuals chose their communities. Successful communities recognize that creating

distinctive downtowns and attractive neighborhoods are a prerequisite to attracting talent in the New

Economy.

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Quality of Place:…Not ThatIt Is This…

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Vibrant CommunitiesHigh quality, high amenity living environments are

key to attracting knowledge workers.

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“The next generation of talent is the first to identify more strongly with

their communities than their employers.”

—REBECCA RYAN

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Large Cities

Walkable StreetsGathering PlacesMany JobsDiversityDifferent LifestylesShops/BusinessesArts/Culture

What does our next generation want?

Small Towns

Scenic BeautySafe StreetsAffordablePlace for FamilyGood SchoolsSense of CommunityLow Traffic

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It’s About Place Making!

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“Do what you canwith what you have,where you are.”

Theodore Roosevelt

Authentic Place Making

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• Build on a unique history, identity and assets to foster community pride.

• Increase social interaction.

What Does This Mean?

Quality of Place


Strong Capital



Entrepreneurship


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Regional assets are leveraged

In a global paradigm regions serve as the economic engines, leveraging community assets across a number

of municipalities. Communities clinging to the old economy mindset of “winner take all” in economic

development will fall further behind in a quick changing world.

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Successful regions uncover networks

• Creating “safe space” for complex thinking;• Uncovering assets and networks with regular forums;

• Linking assets to define new opportunities;

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New Partnerships Emerge

Peoria, Illinois• Next Innovation Center• 50,000 square feet• Key partners include CAT,

Bradley University, Medical Facility, City of Peoria

Moscow, Idaho•Palouse Knowledge Corridor•Joint WSU/UID student innovation competition

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Strategic regional alliances

• Regional “civic conversations” in Indiana to explore strategic assets

• North Carolina’s “Research Triangle North”

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Leveraging Regional Partnerships

Columbus, Indiana• Regional initiative to advance

individuals by at least one level in their education, training, job placement, and income.

• Working with 34 High School counselors on regional cluster opportunities.

• Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center for Excellence to serve 10 county network;

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Overall theme from successful communities

Conviction That In the Long RunYou Have To Do It Yourself

Although outside help is sought when appropriate, successful small towns believe that their destiny is in their own hands. They are not waiting for some outsider to save them, nor do they believe that they can sit and wait for things to get better. Making a community a good place to live is a proactive assignment, and these communities (and their leaders) know that.

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Argonia Kansas• Community built

grocery/convenience store after previous store closed;

• Community is pursuing a housing development with houses offered at cost to new families;

• Closing costs paid if new family has children;

Conviction that youhave to do it yourself

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Learning from other successful places

• Create quality places to live..• Retain and attract people of talent.• Welcome entrepreneurs.• Welcome and celebrate diversity.• Support education.• Promote community engagement and

involve youth.• Promote regional cooperation and planning

for efficiency and success.

Know your community!!

Overall Observation

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Dave IvanCommunity & Economic Development Programs

Michigan State University ExtensionPhone: 517‐432‐7602Email: [email protected]

Contact Info

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Small Town Success in a Big World … · Regional Assets are Leveraged Environment that Supports...

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