1

Small Towns Big IdeasCase studies in small town success

Dave IvanCommunity & Economic Development

SpecialistMSU Extension

Quality of Place

Pillars to Community Success

Strong Social Capital

Regional Assets are Leveraged

Environment that Supports Innovation &

Entrepreneurship

Capital Investments drive New Economy

Growth

2

Communities Support Entrepreneurial Development

Columbus, Indiana

Creating “E-ecosystem”

Networking events (TEN)

Online biz resourcesVirtual E front doorHS Business plan

competitionViabilityInnovation

3

Communities SupportEntrepreneurial Development

Nacogdoches, Texas• Special financing for

SFA biz students• Close integration with

School of Business

Beloit, Wisconsin• Partnership with

Beloit College• Student business

incubator in downtown building.

4

Communities SupportEntrepreneurial Development

WestphaliaFaith community

engaged youth group to create student-run business;

Filled empty storefront;

Gathering place for youth in community;

5

Quality of Place

Pillars to Community Success

Strong Social Capital

Regional Assets are Leveraged

Environment that Supports Innovation &

Entrepreneurship

Capital Investments drive New Economy

Growth

6

Human investments drivenew economy growth

Pella, Iowa“Positively Pella”

campaign

Strengthens social bonds of new residents

Retain talent within community

7

Education EnhancesNew Economy Competitiveness

Houston, MinnesotaGrant provided computers

to students district-wide;Utilizing online learning

to enhance curriculum;Home to Minnesota

Virtual Academy;Provides 70% of school

revenue;

Rochester, IndianaNew Tech High changing

preparedness of HS students.

Superintendent attends econ dev conferences to expand boundaries. 8

Human InvestmentsDrive New Economy Growth

ZeelandRecognize

importance of industrial design to future;

Recruited/hired top international designer from California;

Expanding connections with Saugatuck

9

Bothel, WACommunity banners celebrate “youth”;

New York Mills, MNVisiting artist program connects with HS Fine Arts Program

Dowagiac, MIDogwood Fine Arts FestivalWorld-renowned artists and performers offer free clinics to community youth;

Inspiring the next generation

10

Quality of Place

Pillars to Community Success

Strong Social Capital

Regional Assets are Leveraged

Environment that Supports Innovation &

Entrepreneurship

Capital Investments drive New Economy

Growth

11

12

Define assets and opportunities broadly

Oxford, North Carolina

Kerr-Tar Mini-Hub allows technology firms to be near Research Triangle, but thrive where costs are lower.

Brevard, North Carolina

Retiree community establishes “Retiree Resource Network” to mentor local entrepreneurs.

Leveraging Regional Assets

Kokomo, IndianaNew civic regional networks

Accessing new resources throughout northern Indiana;

Regional entrepreneur training and networking;

Connecting with other regions nationwide;

Changing the “narrative;”

13

Leveraging Regional Assets

Columbus, IndianaRegional initiative to

advance individuals by at least one level in their education, training, job placement, and income.

Working with 34 High School counselors on regional cluster opportunities.

Regional Advanced Manufacturing Center for Excellence to serve 10 county network;

14

15

Questions?