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 4^th 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

• Debi Durham, IEDA/IFA (Facilitator)
• Dave Duncan, ICA, and Kevin Cabbage, FMTC, Connecting Iowa Rural  
• Jim Thompson, IEDA and Jennifer Crall, Iowa Select, Growing Rural Iowa   
• Sue Cosner, IADG and Terri Rosonke IFA, Investing in Rural Iowa

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

• Governor Kim Reynolds
• Lt. Governor Adam Gregg
• Jayne Armstrong, SBA District Director

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

• Eric Hanson, KCCI-TV (Facilitator)
• Linc Kroeger, Executive, Pillar Technologies
• Bonnie Ramsey, Co-Owner, Ramsey’s Market, Lenox
• Carly Cummings, Events Manager, FarmHer, Inc.

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

GRINNELL, IOWA – Leaders from more than 75 Iowa rural communities will gather in Grinnell next week to seek solutions to issues confronting them and share ideas and successes.

The third Iowa Rural Development Summit will be held in Grinnell April 10-12, bringing together elected officials, business leaders and community members from towns with populations as small as 565.

The Summit is sponsored by the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC), a public-private state non-profit that works to support small towns addressing issues such as housing, broadband access, day care, business development and leadership.

“We are thrilled to have such a crowd coming to the Summit,” said IRDC Chair Sandy Ehrig. “We continue to grow and that demonstrates the value rural leaders are getting from the Summit.”

Ehrig, who was appointed co-chair of Governor Kim Reynold’s “Empower Rural Iowa” task force last year, said the goals of the governor’s initiative are embedded in the Summit agenda.

“A number of sessions will reflect the Empower focus,” Ehrig added. “Growing rural Iowa, connecting rural Iowa, and investing in rural Iowa are all elements that every small town has to consider as they look ahead.”

The Summit will highlight success stories and local case studies throughout its 1½ day program. For example, the city of Humboldt will share the story of its journey to a new day care center, a challenge many rural communities are facing today. And the city of Mount Vernon will share its efforts to expand the number of retail businesses downtown.

Another Summit highlight will be the announcement of the 2019 Iowa Community Catalyst awards, $100,000 grants from the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the restoration or demolition of commercial buildings.

Ehrig says plans are already underway for the next Iowa Rural Development Summit, April 15-17, 2020.