IRP Board Listening Session Results OCTOBER 11, 2011 IDAHO RURAL PARTNERSHIP BOARD MEETING

 Four simple questions  Your vision for rural Idaho  Frequent community responses  Discussion What We’ll Cover

Four Simple Questions 1. What don’t you want to see in 5-10 years? 2. What do you want to see in 5-10 years? 3. What obstacles might yield undesired outcomes? 4. What assets support desired outcomes? #. High-frequency responses. (Frequently mentioned themes that don’t fit major categories)

Your Vision

What don’t you want to see in 5-10 years? Outdated infrastructure with insufficient capacity Lack of jobs > loss of people/resources/tax base Rapid, unplanned growth; cultural change; loss of small town identity  Increase in federal and state requirements  Fewer and lower quality educational opportunities  Increase in drug use and other crimes

What do you want to see in 5-10 years? Business development, related job opportunities Leadership > cooperates, collaborates, coordinates Strengthen small-town character and local identity through physical revitalization, enhanced curb appeal, and revitalization of commercial properties Opportunities for high quality K-12 and adult professional/technical education Well-maintained natural and built infrastructure  Cities doing financial planning and building reserves.  Protection of open space and natural infrastructure/heritage.

What obstacles >undesired outcomes? Inflexible top-down regulations and policies that ignore local conditions Changing or inconsistent leadership Ownership, wealth, and people leaving communities (due to lack of job and other opportunities) Insufficient funding and related budget shortfalls Infrastructure capacity can’t support business growth  Rapid population growth and associated cultural changes.  National and global economic factors beyond local control.

Assets that support desired future? Natural resources/landscape People: smart, creative, committed, hard-working Small-town lifestyle and character + associated values and outdoor recreation opportunities Professional development, technical assistance, and funds from agencies, universities, and organizations  Technology/information that inform strategy development.  Relatively easy access to policy and decision makers.  Affordable utility rates.  Spirit of collaboration.

What Communities Tell Us

What they don’t want to see… Outmigration of youth after high school Loss of senior population, income and knowledge Environmental degradation (air, land, and water) Lack of vision and optimism Unplanned development > loss of small-town values Inadequate code enforcement > slum and blight Insufficient support of local businesses Lack of diversity in local business

What they do want to see… Job creation, economic development Activities and opportunities for youth Collaboration between leadership and residents Maintain environmental and recreational resources Preserve small-town identity Maintain or expand volunteer pool/involvement Everyone rowing in the same direction-forward!

What they perceive as obstacles Old/dynastic thinking Historic rivalries Personal and political agendas Discouragement, despair and disinterest Lack of resources Finite volunteer pool Outside forces at odds with community interest Insufficient local control

What they perceive as assets People (youth, seniors, volunteers) History and culture Sense of community, small-town feel and values Clean air and water Forests Recreational and landscape values Underutilized space (built and natural)

Discussion  Questions?  Surprises?  Paradoxes?  Next steps?