Conference Highlights

More than 150 people attended the 2007 Small Town and Rural Development Conference at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. Conference goers had an opportunity to network with people from communities across Michigan interested in developing small towns and rural communities. In addition there was a great line up of speakers. If you missed a presentation or simply need a copy of the handouts please check out the information below. A Michigan Model Summary

The Michigan Model
Allan Hooper, conference chair provided an introduction to concepts for economic development in small towns and rural communities.

Rural Michigan in the Global Economy
George Erickcek, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
http://www.upjohninst.org/regional/ruralbenchmark/start.php

“Many of Michigan’s rural communities are taking a beating. They missed the economic expansion of the past five years and with the national economy expected to slow in 2007 and 2008, the future looks uncertain. These communities face high unemployment, the closing of factories, an aging population, and low agricultural prices. Plus, their main street merchants continue to battle “big box” retailer. However, rural areas are not down for the count. Entrepreneurs thrive in rural areas. Small town environments are prized by many, and the rural work ethic remains strong. Markets for alternative energies, crafts, and fresh produce hold promise. Tourism and second homes provide added income into the rural economy.” George Erickcek

Enterprise Facilitation and HomeTown Competitiveness, One Year Later
Two of our communities are vigorously pursuing these two approaches to small town development. Learn what they are doing to implement these techniques. Programs and Initiatives of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority
MSHDA is becoming one of the most important agencies for Michigan’s small towns and rural areas. Learn about the programs and initiatives they are undertaking.

Generation E
Young entrepreneurs + economic development organizations = economic growth -- Learn how the Generation E Entrepreneurship Education program teaches youth how to develop and run student-owned businesses and learn the skills to become contributing community members and have a positive impact on local economic growth. University Efforts in Rural Michigan
Michigan’s universities are focusing on issues of rural regions and communities. Learn about the programs and assistance they are offering.

Economic Gardening
Christine Hamilton-Pennell, City of Littleton, Colorado
http://www.littletongov.org/bia/economicgardening/
Following a recession causing the loss of several thousands jobs from branch plants, the Littleton city council was frustrated with their future being dictated by out-of-state corporations. In 1987 they chose to pursue a new strategy, working with local businesses to develop good jobs. The concept became “economic gardening”, an emphasis on growing jobs rather than hunting for them. Today, jobs have increased significantly, despite additional recessions, and they are locally controlled jobs in smaller micro-enterprises that diversify the local economy.

PowerPoint Handout
PowerPoint Handout -Supplement
Economic Gardening Implementation
Get additional insights on how an Economic Gardening concept might be implemented in your community. What are some of the key elements and what resources might be needed to move forward?
Implementation Handout
Programs and Initiatives of USDA Rural Development
USDA Rural Development programs are frequently used by rural communities for infrastructure and programs. Learn what programs are available and how they can be applied.

Manistee County's Small Town Program
Manistee County is addressing many issues faced by small towns and rural areas in an innovative manner. Learn about the issues they are addressing and the proactive approach they are taking.


Round Table on Rural Michigan (No PowerPoint or Handouts Available)
Take the opportunity to provide your input to what issues need to be addressed by various organizations involved with rural Michigan.

Creating Entrepreneurial Communities
This proactive approach to coaching and developing entrepreneurs is underway. Learn from MSU Extension how it is proceeding and the plans for its future.

Social Capital
Thomas Sander, Executive Director, Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America

Social capital, our contact and interaction with one another is declining. We are not as involved with each other as we used to be, formally or informally. Addressing this may be the key for our communities to start making progress toward a better future. “Building a more socially interconnected and trusting community pays dividends both for a town and its inhabitants. The economy grows faster, government is more responsive, children learn better, neighborhoods are safer, and residents feel happier and are healthier.” Tom Sander

“Social capital” suggests the relationships we have in the networks and associations we have available to us are of value. These relationships suggest a certain degree of reciprocity, the expectation we will do things for each other. Related to social capital is “civic engagement”, which is our involvement in our communities. Civic engagement has been declining, and we need to foster more of it to increase the likelihood that our communities will succeed.
See: http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/saguaro/primer.htm and a summary of Robert Putnam’s data: http://www.isuma.net/v02n01/putnam/putnam_e.pdf

100+ Ways to Improve Social Capital


Asset-Based Community Development for Rural Communities (Link Coming Soon)
Luther Snow, Author, The Organization of Hope: A Workbook for Rural Asset-Based Community Development
Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) looks at what a community has, not what it lacks, and its strengths, not its deficiencies. “Development, under ABCD, is finding the new relationships between two or more existing assets. It is connecting the dots. The dots are our strengths and assets including the skills of our people and their relationships with one another; our voluntary associations and institutions; and the tangible assets of land, property and capital. Development is the lines connecting the dots as we create new relationships between these strengths and assets.” Luther Snow

Fairfield Iowa Entrepreneurial Development - Burt Chojnowski


Rural Partners of Michigan Offices are with Mike Green, its Executive Director: 1500 East Blackmore Rd, Mayville, MI 48744
Phone (989) 550-7430     email: mpg@tds.net