Rural Development Council
IRDC has partnered with Iowa Public Radio for their Iowa In Focus series, centered around the state’s shifting population.
This series, beginning August 26 and running through August 30, will take a look at some of the factors that affect whether a community grows or shrinks.
Visit iowapublicradio.org and follow along on Iowa Public Radio’s social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and at #IowaInFocus.
The Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) and the Empower Rural Iowa (ERI) task force met jointly July 2 – and the host community of Mount Ayr showed both organizations what an active, engaged small town looks like!
The joint meeting of IRDC, a non-profit public-private partnership, and ERI, a state commission of gubernatorially-appointed members, underscored the synergy that exists between the two groups. IRDC members, from federal and state agencies to associations, utilities, non-profits and educational institutions, hosted a resource fair that allowed attendees – including representatives of neighboring counties and communities – to get information and guidance.
Iowa 3rd District Congresswoman Cindy Axne participated in the resource fair, visiting with both resource providers and those seeking information. She spoke at length about issues related to rural broadband and health care.
Governor Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg convened the joint meeting, introduced by IRDC Chairwoman Sandy Ehrig. They praised the Empower Rural Iowa task force members for their recommendations that led to new legislation expanding housing tax credit funds and new broadband grant dollars. Governor Reynolds also introduced the state’s new Rural Community Revitalization Program Manager Liesl Seabert, whose position was created as a recommendation of the ERI.
Both the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor highlighted next steps for both entities, related to housing, broadband and the development of rural leadership opportunities. Attendees then spoke up with ideas and potential solutions.
But the highlight of the day came when Mount Ayr organizers led a tour of the community, debuted a new promotional video of Ringgold County, and guided attendees through a local business, PodiumInk, and the Ringgold County Hospital. Meeting-goers were transported from site-to-site via tractor-pulled wagons used annually at the Iowa State Fair.
Iowa Rural Development Council members will come together next on September 12th for their quarterly meeting. More information on the next Empower Rural Iowa meeting is forthcoming.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds used the backdrop of the Wilton Candy Kitchen to sign legislation that provides state funds for rural housing and broadband. An article in the Cedar Rapids Gazette provides more information.
Members of the ‘Empower Rural Iowa’ task force and the Iowa Rural Development Council joined Governor Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg following the bill signing.
Wed April 10
12:00-5:00 Early Registration
Hotel Grinnell, First Floor
1:00-4:00 Housing Development in Rural Iowa – “Raising Rooftops,”
Drake Public Library, 930 Park Street
•Getting Ready for New Housing
•Collaborating to Build Workforce Housing
•Overcoming Internal Obstacles
1:00-4:00 Downtown Grinnell Historic District walking tours. Guided tour of Merchants National Bank.
Meet at Grinnell Chamber, 833 4th Avenue
5:00-7:00 Welcome Reception
Peace Tree Brewing Company, 923 Main Street
Sponsored by Trusted Energy and The Bill Menner Group
7:00 Dinner on Your Own
Thur April 11
7:00-8:45 Registration
Hotel Grinnell, First Floor
9:00-12:30 Plenary Sessions
Hotel Grinnell, Second Floor Auditorium
9:00-9:10 Grinnell Mayor Dan Agnew
9:10-9:15 Iowa Rural Development Council Chair Sandy Ehrig
9:15-9:30 Iowa Economic Development Authority/Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham
9:30-10:30 Patrick Woodie, North Carolina Rural Center CEO
Growing Better, Together!
10:30-11:00 Exhibitor Overview
11:00-11:30 Break
11:30-12:30 Empower Rural Iowa – What We’ve Learned and What Comes Next
Sponsored by the Iowa Finance Authority
12:30-1:45 Working Lunch; Facilitated Tables
Hotel Grinnell First Floor Event Center
Sponsored by Grinnell Mutual, Grinnell College, Grinnell Chamber and Grinnell Tourism
1:45-2:15 Break, Visit Exhibitors
2:15-3:00 Explore the Work of Empower
Drake Public Library, 930 Park Street
Sponsored by Aureon Ripple Effect
Grinnell Arts Center Main Gallery, 926 Broad Street
UCC Church Basement, 902 Broad Street
Sponsored by McClure
Hotel Grinnell Auditorium
Sponsored by IEDA
3:00 -3:30 Break
3:30-4:15 Key Issues Confronting Rural Communities: Iowa Case Studies
Grinnell Arts Center Main Gallery, 926 Broad Street
Drake Public Library, 930 Park Street
Sponsored by Delta Dental
UCC Church Basement, 902 Broad Street
4:30 IEDA Community Catalyst Awards
SBA Top Lender Award, Rural Markets
Hotel Grinnell First Floor Event Center
5:15 Rural Recognition Reception, Hotel Grinnell Event Center
Sponsored by Iowa Farm Bureau Federation
7:00 Dinner on Your Own
Fri April 12
7:00-8:00 Buffet Breakfast; Facilitated Team Work – Tables from Lunch
Hotel Grinnell First Floor Event Center
8:00-12:00 Plenary Sessions
Hotel Grinnell Second Floor Auditorium
8:00-8:05 Iowa Rural Development Council Executive Director Bill Menner
8:05-8:15 Sid Jones, President, Home State Bank, Jefferson
Taking Action: Lessons from Past Summits!
8:15-9:15 Rural Communities and Anchor Institutions
Sponsored by IADG Community Foundation
– Jim Thompson, IEDA (Facilitator)
– Brett Antczak, CEO, Palo Alto County Health System
– Tina Bakehouse, Chief Creative Officer, Malvern State Bank
– Raynard Kington, President, Grinnell College
– Deb Lucht, CEO, Minburn Communications
9:15 – 10:00 KCCI TV Anchor Eric Hanson and Bill Menner
45 Ideas in 45 Minutes: Your Chance to Share Your Best Practice
10:00-10:15 Break
10:15-11:00 Telling the Rural Story – Getting the Word Out!
Sponsored by Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area
11:00-11:45 Ryan Taylor, North Dakota Writer/Rancher/Philosopher
The Logic of a Cowboy: Rural Reflections and Rope Tricks
Sponsored by The Bill Menner Group
11:45-12:00 IRDC Vice-Chair Rand Fisher
Community Challenge and Send-off 12:00 A