5 Keys to Small Town Success It’s About Resilience, Not Growth Small Town Forums 2015.
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Transcript of 5 Keys to Small Town Success It’s About Resilience, Not Growth Small Town Forums 2015.
5 Keys to Small Town SuccessIt’s About Resilience, Not Growth
Small Town Forums2015
Trends
People moving from small towns and rural areas to metro areas
Trends
Other issues facing small towns
Resiliency
Community resilience is a measure of the sustained ability of a community to utilize available resources to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations.
Resiliency
The Keys, Please….
Leverage
Ever feel like you are ready to reach new heights, but you don’t have the assets you need to get the job done?
Leverage
Using leverage to balance assets and needs
KnowledgeSkillsVolunteersGrantsFinancing
Leverage
Methods:1. Community inventory and
associations2. Establish networks, linkages &
channels3. Keep the network activated4. Bring support together as needed
Leverage Example – Potosi, WIPopulation - 689
Spatial Relationships
Maximizing benefits of spatial relationships
Density, Proximity, Space & Connections
Spatial Relationships
Methods:1. Use your Comprehensive Plan and
Zoning Ordinance to ensure activated space is tightly clustered.
2. Consider acquiring vacant property.3. Ensure that the destinations within
your community are connected with both paths and good roads.
Spatial Relationships
Bottom Line:Increased Interactions =
Opportunities (income, employment, business)
Innovation & Creativity
Public Health
Capacity
Spatial Relationships Example – Mazomanie, WI
Spatial Relationships Example – Mazomanie, WI
Collaboration
RegionalCross-sectorPublic-PrivatePrivate-Private
Collaboration
Successful Collaboration:• Shared Perception of Need• Collaborative Leadership• Trust• Mutual Benefit• Stakeholder Support
Collaboration
Obstacles to Collaboration:• Turf Protection• Competition for Growth• Historic Rivalry• Perceived Loss of Identity, Access,
Reduced Control and Accountability, Threat to Status Quo
Collaboration
Methods:1. Meet with your regional peers, major
institutions and organizations. If a business, meet with your competitors.
2. Establish a schedule of regular meetings and a standing agenda.
3. Seek out common cause, share information and find reasons to work together.
Collaboration Example – The Marketplace, Gays Mills
Community Health
PhysicalMentalSocialWell-being
Community Health
Methods:1. Ensure access to healthcare & fresh
food2. Multi-modal linkages to all
community destinations3. Physical activity infrastructure –
parks, recreation programs, clubs, employers
4. Make health a shared community value
Community Health Example – LIFE Foundation, Cross Plains, WI
LIFE Foundation – 5 Year Strategic Objectives
Wellness Centered: Community Wellness Fitness Center
Trails Prevail: Ice Age Trail, Good Neighbor Trail, Conservancy Trails
Fitness First: Individual adapted health through fitness classes
Empower Social Support: Empower Kids, Adults & Employees; Healthy Lifestyle Programs / Step Up Walking Club
To School & Back: The Walking School Bus, The Bike Train, Paint the Bike Lane
Rethink Your Drink: A choose water campaign
Know the Code 5210: Vegetables, screen time, exercise & SSB prompt card
Gardens Grow: Gardens – Community, Home, Preschool, Senior; Farmer’s Markets, CSAs
LIFE Foundation – 5 Year Strategic Objectives
Support Local
• Local Business• Local Non-
Profits & Foundations
• Local Initiatives• Volunteers• Community
Leaders
Support Local
Methods:1. On-going community awareness2. Matchmaking programs - volunteers
with community needs, local buyers with local suppliers, funding needs with local donors/crowd-funding
3. Stagger/combine local initiatives4. Appreciate community leaders
Support Local Example – Central Rivers Farmshed, Stevens Point, WICentral Wisconsin Farm Fresh Atlas™ showcasing the best in local farms and food in Central WisconsinSalvation Army Hope Center Meals Each month volunteers source and donate ingredients and prepare a meal, ensuring that those in-need have access to fresh, local foods.Farmer Tribute Dinner invites producers to dine on a locally sourced meal in celebration of the harvest. Community members attend and sponsor the farmers meal as a tribute to their hard work.Local Food Fair brings together producers, consumers, local businesses, and educators to celebrate community and the food that’s grown within it.
Support Local Example – Central Rivers Farmshed, Stevens Point, WI
Conclusion
• Focus on resilience before growth• Leverage assets and resources• Pay attention to spatial relationships• Collaborate, collaborate, collaborate• Stay healthy – physically, mentally &
socially• Support local businesses, schools,
initiatives, farmers…….
Thank You!
Gary BeckerVierbicher
Local Government Institute of Wisconsin