Community Vitality Center 2004 Demonstration Project Wright County Entrepreneurial Consortium October 20, 2004

Development Premise Prosperous, dynamic towns plan for growth and wealth creation. Entrepreneurs energize the economy. Build a supportive culture for entrepreneurial development. “Where there is entrepreneurial activity, there is hope in a community.”

Wright County, Iowa

3 similar sized towns. Distinctly different “cultures.” Readiness varied by town. 4 school districts. 2 community colleges. 2 AEAs. 2 COGs.

New county “brand.” Part of a regional collaboration. Local development groups. Strong industrial attraction programs. Industrial/service recruitment – retention – expansion. “The Wright Direction” “Retain what we have. Expand and grow. Seek out the future.”

Project Purpose Build an understanding about entrepreneurs. Create a culture that encourages and supports area entrepreneurs and local business owners. » Raise awareness. » Inventory assets and community capacity. » Design plan. » Implement plan. Increase community vibrancy. Peter Drucker says, “Plans are only good intentions until they degenerate into hard work.”

Project Process Educational and planning sessions in 3 towns over 6 months. Combine task forces to create an ongoing collaborative entrepreneurial consortium.

Project Payoff Customized asset-based plan. A welcoming community culture. A county plan designed to build on each community’s efforts. New wealth, prosperity, and new jobs. Community loyalty and increased social capital.

Grant Objectives Design strategies to assist new and expanding businesses. Create a plan and “work” the plan. Determine needed resources. Map entrepreneurial talent base/potential. Identify additional skills to enlarge task force. Develop regional strategies.

Change is Constant “Most institutions can create positive change through “creative recombination” – by using what they already have to drive positive change including people, processes, structures, cultures and social networks.” Eric Abrahamson, Change without Pain

Steps in the Project Session 1 - where are we today? » Raised awareness of the issue. » Surveyed residents for community support. » Inventory of community readiness and capacity. » Benchmark the staring points. Session 2 - where do we want to be? » Mapping of existing talent. » Surveying of business owners. » Defining goals with stakeholder input. Session 3 - how will we get there? » Designing strategies. » Assigning responsibilities. Combined session - what can we do better together?

Community Environment & Readiness Factors Center for Rural Entrepreneurship Openness to entrepreneurship. Balancing with other ED strategies. Programs in place. Leadership team of “Champions.” Willingness to invest. Development of partnerships.

Ideas for Improving Attitudes What can we do to: help citizens value having new businesses? support entrepreneurs who failed before? support people starting businesses? encourage a young person to open a business? establish support for funding programs for new businesses?

Talent Mapping Life Cycle and Motivation Matters

Entrepreneurial Talent & Development Opportunity E TalentTime to ImpactScale of Impact AspiringLong-TermLittle to Massive Start UpsMedium-TermModest to Massive Growth OrientedShort-TermPotentially Large High GrowthImmediateLarge Where do you want to focus your energy?

What Happened so far? Task forces met 2-3 times in each town during the summer, designed for 6 hours of work session - 4 towns with 36 participants. Stories in papers for publicity & build interest. Additional priorities surface. Task force set plans in motion. Work continues building toward county meeting in early 2005.

Clarion

Belmond

Belmond Entrepreneurial Support Organization “The case for the development of rural entrepreneurship as a catalyst to re-energize our local business communities.”

Eagle Grove & Woolstock Seeking more task force members. Interviewed entrepreneurs. Need another meeting to design plan.

Challenges “If the 60s return, we’re ready.” Lack of clarity of what’s needed. Value of allocating resources. Finding the right people to be involved. Identifying one or more “champions.” Level of commitment by busy folks. Keeping the momentum going.

Expected Outcomes & Measurable Success Indicators Local steering committees focused on entrepreneurial development. Incrementally building programs. A county consortium in place. A resource library available to all. 10 residents starting a business. 10 growing businesses. Marketing program for entrepreneurship.

Intangible Result Reduce competition between towns so that residents understand “we’re all in this together” and we benefit from the successes in each town.

Are you Prepared to Roll out the Red Carpet for Entrepreneurs?

Contact for More Information Dennis Bowman Wright County Economic Development 515/ Kathy Showalter PlanScape Partners 641/