Case Studyof Community Change
Presented by
Connie Loden - Executive DirectorEconomic Development Corp-Manitowoc County WI
Central Wisconsin• Area Population of area
- 40,000 / Largest community – 18,000
• Company towns (paper) until 2000
• Sale of company, downturn in industry, loss
of jobs (approximately 40%)
• Loss of leadership
The Background
• Culture of Entitlement
• Dependency
• Paternalistic
• Stages of Mourning
The Culture
Locals stepping up to take charge of future
In 2004 - Strategic Planning took place for local Chamber & Community Foundation - similar needs for community identified: Economic Development & Jobs
Intersection of Community and Economic Development
Create an innovative, self-reliant & business friendly culture in a vibrant community with a prosperous local economy.
Building a Strong and Positive Community
Creating a Business Friendly Culture
Creating a Business Friendly Culture Industry Cluster Networks Entrepreneurial Boot Camps Entrepreneur Tech Support Business Innovation
Seminars Entrepreneur Mentoring
Teams Angel Investor Network Study Tours Ideas Incubator
e
The Flagg Family displaying their new product branding as a result of their Boot Camp exploration of expanding their farm business into value-adding.
Access to Capital
• Over $2 million invested by Angel Investors – in 10 projects
• Jobs expected in 5 years 770
$240,000 Loan Fund Established
Building a Strong and Positive Community
Community Progress Rallies Creating a ‘can-do’ culture Community visioning Leadership Programs “New Ideas!” Speaker Series Community Progress Teams Youth Progress Initiative Community Endowment
Building Transfer of Wealth Analysis
• Teen Leadership
• Community Leadership Basics
• Community Leadership Program
• Advanced Leadership Institute
• Senior Statesmen Program
Multi-Level Leadership Development System
Snow Sculpture Spectacular, an event started by Community Leadership Class
“Loving Where You Live and What You Do” – presented by nationally acclaimed speaker-playwright -John Powers
•Held Youth Rally
•250 Youth involved in Initiative
•Want a voice in decision making
•40 Participants in Teen Leadership
Youth Participation
Community Progress Initiative Logic Model
Improved Economy• increased employment• more diverse economy
New businesses are established
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Participants increase their business skills
Increased recognition of economicopportunities and linkages
New ideas that can beTranslated into
viable businesses
Businesses expand their markets
Businesses are run moreEfficiently & Successfully
Novices become interestedIn entrepreneurship
Rigorous business plansAre developed
Entrepreneurial Dev • Boot camp• Tech support • Mentoring network• Business seminars• Small B-School
Ideas incubator
Industry clusterNetworks• agriculture• downtown revit• paper/forestry
PROGRAMS
Venture Capital Programs• Equity Loan Fund• Business Angel Network
Increased access toEquity financing
Leadership Programs• HOW Comm Leadership• CP Teams LD• Adv. Leadership Program
Youth Initiative
Positive Vision of what the Community can become
Ideas from other places - Tours, Speaker Series
More effective nonprofit sector
Endow your community
Participants increase:• leadership skills• belief in self• ability to work together
New funds established at CFSWCMore wealth stays in community
Progress TeamsAre more effective
Improved Quality of Life
(beyond Economics)
Community Planning and Visioning Progress Teams formed and carry out work
New generation of business leaders(more creative, less risk averse)
Progress TeamsAchieve Goals
CHANGE IN COMMUNITY CULTURE & CAPACITY
Belief in self, Take responsibility
Recognize Interconnectedness
Expanded Leadership
Bridging social capital
Sense of possibility Risk taking
Groups work together to establish funds
Families with wealth focus locally
IMPACTSOUTCOMES
• Community Participation & Organization
• Shared Vision • Leadership Development• Transition of Leadership• Youth Empowerment • Inclusive Community• Regional Collaboration• Local Government
Involvement
Strong and Positive Local Community
Community Leadership
Prosperous and Diverse Local
Economy
Business Development
Innovative, Entrepreneurial and Self Reliant
Culture
Capital and Funding
• Ability to Leverage & Maximize Outside Resources
• Innovative & Collaborative Fundraising
• Wealth Retention• Endowment Building, Individual
Community Progress Funds • New Partnerships Formed:
Public/Private
Vibrant Industry Clusters Entrepreneurial Development Regional Business Networks Coordinated marketing New Business Sectors Ideas Incubator
RESULTSRegional
Community Vision for Future
Driven by strategic partnership of:Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic AllianceCommunity Foundation of South Wood County
Developing new strategic partnership relationships with
Educational Institutions and Government
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPSBusiness, Government,Education,Philanthropy
• Bold – breaking out of the norms• Made it a movement and a
community conversation• Created a brand to Grab attention
and make it stick• Created hope and sense of
achievability • Promoted self-reliance and sense of
responsibility to get involved• Partnerships with the media
“Communities flourish because of committed citizens. And that’s what we have in Wisconsin Rapids. With the establishment of the Community Progress Initiative, talented people have come together to study, join cluster teams and study tours, looking for new opportunities to grow our community”
Dave Pryor, owner, Quality Plus Printing
Connie [email protected]
Volunteering can happen at
any age.
■ 2008 Mid-American Economic Development Council Business Retention & Expansion Program Award
■ Council on Foundations Critical Impact Award for Grant Making – Ford Foundation Grentee
■ 2008 International Econ. Dev. Council Excellence in Economic Development Award – Multiple year program
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