Progress 07/01/03 to 06/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Project staff organized the first statewide Community Philanthropy Academy that attracted 175 participants from across the state. Project staff completed a Transfer of Wealth (TOW) study based on 1998-2002 probated estates for each county in Iowa. Analysis and data were presented at the Philanthropy Academy and placed on the web at www.cvcia.org . In addition, a survey was subcontracted to identify barriers and opportunities for existing community foundations in Iowa to the University of Iowa onprofit Resource Center that provided results presented at the first annual Philanthropy Academy on March 29, 2004 by Jude West and Jill Smith regarding "Creating Effective Community Philanthropy Institutions" www.cvcia.org . Project staff coordinated 3 philanthropy capacity project subcontracts to nonprofit organizations designed to demonstrate and ascertain the potential for implementing philanthropy concepts in rural areas: Iowa Area Development Group, Grow Iowa Foundation, and Obrien County Philanthropy Cluster. Project staff organized the first statewide Community Entrepreneurship Academy in Fairfield attracting 185 participants and coordinated 7 entrepreneurship subcontracts to demonstrate alternative approaches for supporting community-based entrepreneur development programs in rural areas: Mt. Pleasant Chamber conducted a business plan competition, Emmetsburg organized a business resource center in the Extension office, Fairfield organized a series of entrepreneurial development organization seminars and networking events, Allamakee County organized a multi-county business assistance network, Wallace Foundation for Rural Research organized a storefront sales network for locally produced arts & crafts, National Catholic Rural Life Conference conducted local food system mapping discussions in 3 counties, and Wright County organized a business assistance network. An additional project subcontract to MyEntreNet at the University of Northern Iowa demonstrated a new model for combining computer based technical assistance with community empowerment, entrepreneurship and business assistance in three communities. Project staff also coordinated a project to subcontract four reports on three pilot projects analyzing the integration of rural areas into state economic development cluster strategies: see website: www.cvcia.org . Project staff coordinated professional services with ten rural education and service organizations to support a upper elementary/middle school youth entrepreneurship initiative called "Youth Marketplace" developed by the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. Project staff completed a series of 8 "Communities of Distinction" case studies involving interviews of four fast growing rural communities and four similar sized rural communities that lost population during the 1990s to ascertain the similarities and differences in community leadership. Reports are located on the web site: www.cvcia.org . PARTICIPANTS: Two part-time staff assisted the PI in carrying out the portfolio of activities described in this accomplishment report. The major outcomes were directly generated by a wide range of collaborating groups including local extension offices, development corporations, community foundations, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and volunteer leaders. Project staff organized an annual Community Entrepreneurship Academy featuring a rural community deserving of recognition for its local entrepreneurial development efforts. The Academy was held in Manning October 21, 2005 and attracted 90 participants. Project staff also organized an annual statewide Community Philanthropy Academy in Ames on March 21, 2006 which attracted 145 participants. See web site: www.cvcia.org . TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary target audience for the project includes the diverse array of community leaders interested in entrepreneurial activity, philanthropy activity, and other innovative and emerging strategies for enhancing community vitality. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: No major modifications were made during the execution of this grant. Some subcontractors were slow to complete implementation due to personnel changes.
Impacts
Community Philanthropy and the Philanthropy Academy have become elevated in discussions among rural and metro community leaders in Iowa. As a result, the General Assembly and Governor signed new "Endow Iowa" legislation creating tax credit incentives for donors of permanent endowments and matching grants for groups that wish to organize community foundations. Community Entrepreneurship and the Community Entrepreneurship Academy have stimulated a variety of local innovations and increasing support for entrepreneurial initiatives in nonmetro Iowa. A sampling of evaluation reports from four of the Community Entrepreneurship projects indicated that Wright County provided 30 business referrals; the Wallace Foundation identified 58 vendors and community leader participants; Allamakee County involved 750 participants and community leaders across 6 counties; Rural Catholic Life involved 220 participants; and Mt Pleasant involved 33 participants. Wright County reported that 10 firms were created. Allamakee County reported that 34 new businesses/expansions resulted and 4 businesses were saved in 6 counties. Wright County reported 9 jobs were created so far. Allamakee County reported 59 jobs created and 32 additional jobs saved in 6 counties. Rural Catholic Life reported 5 jobs created. Mt. Pleasant reported 4 jobs created. In terms of other measures of business growth, wealth, or investment, the Wallace Foundation reported that 50% of vendors participating indicated increased sales. Allamakee County reported approximately $2,043,000 of additional investment created across six counties. Mt Pleasant reported $400,000 in new investment due to the business plan competition. The Fairfield project received the received a national Entrepreneurial Community Award from the National Center from Small Communities and the Kauffman Foundation.
Publications
- Molnar, Andras, Brent Hueth, Mark Edelman, and Dan Otto. Economic and Environmental Impacts of Biomass Energy Utilization in Rural Communities: A Case Study of the Chariton Valley Biomass Project. Report prepared in support of grants by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Iowa Energy Center. March 23, 2004.
- Edelman, Mark A. and Sandra Charvat Burke. Iowa Communities of Distinction An In-depth Study of Bedford, Iowa, A Rural Border Community with Growth. Community Vitality Center Report, March 18, 2004.
- Edelman, Mark A and Sandra Charvat Burke. Iowa Communities of Distinction: An Indepth Study of Cherokee, Iowa, A Valley with Nodes of Vitality. Community Vitality Center Report, March 18, 2004.
- Edelman, Mark A. and Sandra Charvat Burke. Iowa Communities of Distinction: An Indepth Study of Corning, Iowa A Community with Can-Do Spirit. Community Vitality Center Report, March 18, 2004
- Burke, Sandra Charvat and Mark A. Edelman. Iowa Communities of Distinction: An Indepth Study of Fort Madison, Iowa, A River Town Redevelopment Focus. Community Vitality Center Report, March 18, 2004.
- Burke, Sandra Charvat and Mark A. Edelman. Iowa Wealth Transfer from Probated Estates, County By County, Community Vitality Center Report to the Foundations and Philanthropy Academy, March 29, 2004.
- Edelman, Mark A. and Sandra Charvat Burke. Iowa Communities of Distinction: An Indepth Study of Guttenberg, Iowa, A Scenic Interior Riverfront Community. Community Vitality Center Report, March 18, 2004.
- Burke, Sandra Charvat and Mark A. Edelman. Iowa Communities of Distinction: An Indepth Study of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Maintaining A Generation of Growth. Community Vitality Center Report, March 18, 2004.
- Edelman, Mark A. and Sandra Charvat Burke. Iowa Communities of Distinction: An Indepth Study of Postville, Iowa, A Fast-Growing, Culturally Diverse Community. Community Vitality Center Report, March 18, 2004.
- Burke, Sandra Charvat and Mark A. Edelman. Iowa Communities of Distinction: An Indepth Study of Sioux Center, Iowa, Internal Collaboration & External Competition. Community Vitality Center Report, March 18, 2004
- Edelman, Mark A. A Review of The Iowa Utility Association Report, The Issues and Risks of Acquiring and Operating a Local Natural Gas Distribution System. Report to the Iowa Utility Association. March 10, 2004.
- Edelman, Mark A and Sandra Charvat Burke. Iowa Communities of Distinction: A Summary Analysis of Lessons Learned, Best Practices, and Community Vitality Indicators from InDepth Studies of Selected Iowa Communities. Community Vitality Center, Iowa State University. March 31, 2004.
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Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1. PHILANTHROPY: CVC organized a statewide philanthropy academy, distributed email newsletters to over 2,500 local leaders, and collaborated with other statewide philanthropy group and the Extension network of local offices to present a series of four statewide satellite town meetings to assist in organizing 85 local county endowment boards and train volunteer leaders regarding their new roles and responsibilities in implementing Endow Iowa and HF2302 programs. 2. ENTREPRENEURSHIP: CVC organized a statewide entrepreneurship academy, and sponsored several community based entrepreneurship support projects including four MyEntreNet communities, four microenterprise workshops in Southwest Iowa, one college intern program, four business plan competition programs, two entrepreneurial networks, 5 middle school entrepreneurship programs, and 17 high school business plan competition programs. 3. RURAL URBAN POLICY: CVC co-sponsored a national workshop and completed case study reports
on entrepreneurial community models development strategies from eight presentations included in the national workshop. CVC initiated work on a survey of recent movers in 19 selected nonmetro counties in Iowa. CVC participated in a national 2007 Farm Bill Survey project collaboration and began work to implement a survey of Iowa Farm Operator Policy Preferences and research on policy incentives for farmer savings and investment.
PARTICIPANTS: 1. PHILANTHROPY: More than 1000 leaders from diverse interests 2. ENTREPRENEURSHIP: More than 200 local leaders from diverse interests 3. RURAL URBAN POLICY: More than 50 leaders from diverse interests
TARGET AUDIENCES: State policymakers, rural interest leadership, and nonmetro community leaders representing diverse interests from government, economic development, philanthropy, and local entrepreneurial support interests.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Two communities requested changes from college intern programs to entrepreneurship development programs. One business plan competition program requested change from local to regional format. Four projects requested extensions due to changes in personnel.
Impacts
1. PHILANTHROPY: There were 175 leaders at philanthropy academy and over 600 leaders participating in satellite meetings. The annual Iowa Department of Economic Development report to the Governor and Legislature noted, "$2 million in Endow Iowa tax credits leveraged $10 million in charitable giving across the state; An additional $5.4 million was distributed to 85 county endowment entities ($63,601 for each county) for purposes of building endowments and providing grants to local groups that serve identified philanthropic needs in each respective county. The report also noted that CVC organized a statewide academy and four satellite town meetings to assist in formation of local community foundation boards in response to state policy incentives. 2. ENTREPRENEURSHIP: The entrepreneurship academy attracted 110 community leaders from across the state and evaluations indicated participants learned something new and different. One entrepreneurial network reported (a) 10
existing business with expansion plans participated and adopted new ideas, (b) 17 prospective entrepreneurs developed business plans, and (c) 3/4s of new microenterprise startups had trouble obtaining capital. 3. RURAL URBAN POLICY: The new movers survey is completed and a series of reports are being released on the CVC web site. The national 2007 Farm Bill Survey project has been completed and the Iowa farm operator policy preferences survey effort and report on farm savings incentives has been released on the CVC web site and by Farm Foundation.
Publications
- Edelman, Mark A. 2005 "An Iowa Perspective for Enhancing Rural Development and Vitality in the 2007 Farm Bill." Presentation at rural development panel at New Directions in Federal Farm Policy: Issues for the 2007 Farm Bill, Iowa State University Conference, Ames IA.
- Edelman, Mark A. 2005 "Cost Effective Approaches for Rural Business Incubation: An Iowa Case Study" Selected Presentation to National Business Incubation Association International Meetings, Baltimore MD.
- Burke, Sandra Charvat and Mark A. Edelman. 2005 "Real Estate Records and E-Government: Issues, Stakeholders, Costs, and Web Development." National Association of Community Development Extension Professionals Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV.
- Burke, Sandra Charvat and Mark A. Edelman. 2004 "Leaders, Issues, and Growth in Nonmetropolitan Communities: Government, Economic Development, Education, and Healthcare." Selected paper presented to Rural Sociological Society Annual Meetings, Sacramento, CA.
- Lambertz, Sue, Sandra Burke, Becky Johnson, and Mark Edelman. 2005 "Entrepreneurial Rural Communities - National Case Studies Series." Community Vitality Center. Report 1: The Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet) in Athens, Ohio; Report 2: Northern Initiatives in Michigan's Upper Peninsula; Report 3: Tapetes de Lana Weaving Center, Mora, New Mexico; Report 4: Douglas-Coffee County, Georgia: An Entrepreneur-Friendly Community; Report 5: The IDEA Center Incubator of Tupelo, Mississippi; Report 6: North Iowa Area Community College Entrepreneur and Capital Networks; Report 7: AgVentures Alliance: An Entrepreneurial Value-Added Agriculture Network; Report 8: Fairfield, Iowa: The Emergence of a Serial Entrepreneurial Community; Report 9: Reflections on Local, State and Federal Policies to Support Entrepreneurs; Supplement: "Entrepreneurial Community Ecosystems..." by Sohodojo;
- Burke, Sandy Charvat and Mark A. Edelman 2005 "Work Factors and Reasons for Moving in Nonmetro Iowa, New Movers Survey Report #2" "Reasons for Moving in Nonmetro Iowa, New Movers Survey Report #1" "New Movers Survey Instrument"
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Progress 10/01/03 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Test areas for this project deployed a variety of innovative entrepreneurial learning network concepts, including a statewide interactive video conference on the farm bill rural development provisions, an entrepreneurial coaching and mentoring network, a community entrepreneur resource center, a five-county Sirolli entrepreneurship workshop, a rural county college intern program, a countywide business development resource network, and a multi-county entrepreneurial conference and network for mentoring and technical assistance. The projects had several measurable impacts and indicators of outcomes. Six states either sent representatives to demonstration project communities or requested information. More than 30 communities requested additional information from test communities. Educational and training seminars attracted participants from an expanded region of 300 mile radius. Local and statewide media reported on project progress and achievements, including editorials
to the significance of the efforts. One test area received a national rural community entrepreneurship award during implementation. Entrepreneurship increased after targeted education and training to potential entrepreneurs. Local community awareness and additional local resources being mobilized were cited as outcomes. Larger rural areas indicated a 20 percent increases in new business start-ups while smaller rural areas reported 2-3 new businesses where none had opened in previous years. Significant impacts for these communities include greater utilization of local resources and occupancy of empty buildings. Accomplishments in test areas included measurable new business start-ups, information inquiries, and interest in assistance for opening new businesses. Each test group established a defined point of contact for aspiring and practicing entrepreneurs where resource information, local networks, and assistance could be accessed. Each group reported expressed satisfaction from
aspiring entrepreneurs, existing businesses, and local entrepreneur support organizations that disseminated information. Previous turf issues and barriers between county lines and local organizations were reduced when presented with relatively low cost opportunities to improve income for diverse groups and community vitality. Each community reported increased community capacity for assisting entrepreneurs and new collaborations representing a diverse set of interests beyond traditional economic development groups. In each test area, additional partners beyond those initially identified, were also identified and they were also willing to commit both cash and in-kind services. When presented with grant dollars to test area, the grants leveraged on average 165 percent or more in additional committed cash and in-kind support. Each test area reported stronger interest and local support for sustaining community entrepreneurial support efforts for several years.
Impacts
Approaches to economic development in rural areas are expected to change as a result of these projects. Regard for entrepreneurship as an economic development tool for stimulating growth and improving local income and wealth has increased. Local economic developers are considering shifts in resources from other development strategies to entrepreneurship. Banks and financial institutions are reviewing entrepreneurial applications more favorably and are seeking more creative ways of providing seed capital funding. Community capacity for assisting entrepreneurs have increased and new partnership collaborations developed. Local networks, culture, and business environment have been adjusted to enhance odds for successful startups and sustainability of entrepreneurial businesses. Mechanisms have been created for potential entrepreneurs to conduct "due diligence" and develop more viable buisness plans. This initiative has generated discussion about new ways of doing economic
development in rural Iowa and has created a ripple effect across the state as more communities review current approaches to economic development. The greatest impact of this project, beyond its economic stimulus, will be the shift in ideas, attitudes, and utilization of local resources, which have primarily been directed toward large employers. A new economic development strategy is being presented for discussion in rural Iowa and it is causing local leaders to consider the mix of development strategies and allocation of resources in communities where discussion of the innovative projects has occurred.
Publications
- Community Vitality Center, Iowa Rural Development Council, Iowa State University Extension to Communities, and USDA Rural Development, collaborating, Nov. 2002, New Opportunities for Rural Development in the 2002 Farm Bill: an Iowa Communications Network Conference, www.extension.iastate.edu/communities/pdf/RurDevhandout.pdf
- Burke, Sandra and Mark Edelman, 2003, Preliminary Statewide Cost Estimates for Electronic Documentation and Internet Access for Real Estate Records and Observations from Stakeholders in Six Iowa Counties, Community Vitality Center, www.cvcia.org/content/projects/3.real.estate.erecords.cost/
- National Center for Small Communities and Ewing and Marion Kauffman Foundation, Dec 2003, Grassroots Rural Entrepreneurship: Best Practices for Small Communities, www.natat.org/ncsc/Kauffman/BestPractices.pdf
- Perkins, Jerry, 2003, Seeds of Peace and Carrots, Des Moines Register, Agriculture Section
- Lydersen, Kari, 2004, Iowa Town Booms on Eastern Ways, Washington Post, A03
- Lydersen, Kari, 2004, Mediation turns Iowa Burg to business Hub, San Francisco Chronicle, A-2
- Boeckman, Steve, 2003, Workshop lets counties see how communities re-build, The Catholic Mirror, 14
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