Case Studyof Community Change

Presented by

Connie Loden - Executive DirectorEconomic Development Corp-Manitowoc County WI

Central Wisconsin• Area Population of area

- 40,000 / Largest community – 18,000

• Company towns (paper) until 2000

• Sale of company, downturn in industry, loss

of jobs (approximately 40%)

• Loss of leadership

The Background

• Culture of Entitlement

• Dependency

• Paternalistic

• Stages of Mourning

The Culture

Locals stepping up to take charge of future

In 2004 - Strategic Planning took place for local Chamber & Community Foundation - similar needs for community identified: Economic Development & Jobs

Intersection of Community and Economic Development

Create an innovative, self-reliant & business friendly culture in a vibrant community with a prosperous local economy.

Building a Strong and Positive Community

Creating a Business Friendly Culture

Creating a Business Friendly Culture Industry Cluster Networks Entrepreneurial Boot Camps Entrepreneur Tech Support Business Innovation

Seminars Entrepreneur Mentoring

Teams Angel Investor Network Study Tours Ideas Incubator

e

The Flagg Family displaying their new product branding as a result of their Boot Camp exploration of expanding their farm business into value-adding.

Access to Capital

• Over $2 million invested by Angel Investors – in 10 projects

• Jobs expected in 5 years 770

$240,000 Loan Fund Established

Building a Strong and Positive Community

Community Progress Rallies Creating a ‘can-do’ culture Community visioning Leadership Programs “New Ideas!” Speaker Series Community Progress Teams Youth Progress Initiative Community Endowment

Building Transfer of Wealth Analysis

• Teen Leadership

• Community Leadership Basics

• Community Leadership Program

• Advanced Leadership Institute

• Senior Statesmen Program

Multi-Level Leadership Development System

Snow Sculpture Spectacular, an event started by Community Leadership Class

“Loving Where You Live and What You Do” – presented by nationally acclaimed speaker-playwright -John Powers

•Held Youth Rally

•250 Youth involved in Initiative

•Want a voice in decision making

•40 Participants in Teen Leadership

Youth Participation

Community Progress Initiative Logic Model

Improved Economy• increased employment• more diverse economy

New businesses are established

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Participants increase their business skills

Increased recognition of economicopportunities and linkages

New ideas that can beTranslated into

viable businesses

Businesses expand their markets

Businesses are run moreEfficiently & Successfully

Novices become interestedIn entrepreneurship

Rigorous business plansAre developed

Entrepreneurial Dev • Boot camp• Tech support • Mentoring network• Business seminars• Small B-School

Ideas incubator

Industry clusterNetworks• agriculture• downtown revit• paper/forestry

PROGRAMS

Venture Capital Programs• Equity Loan Fund• Business Angel Network

Increased access toEquity financing

Leadership Programs• HOW Comm Leadership• CP Teams LD• Adv. Leadership Program

Youth Initiative

Positive Vision of what the Community can become

Ideas from other places - Tours, Speaker Series

More effective nonprofit sector

Endow your community

Participants increase:• leadership skills• belief in self• ability to work together

New funds established at CFSWCMore wealth stays in community

Progress TeamsAre more effective

Improved Quality of Life

(beyond Economics)

Community Planning and Visioning Progress Teams formed and carry out work

New generation of business leaders(more creative, less risk averse)

Progress TeamsAchieve Goals

CHANGE IN COMMUNITY CULTURE & CAPACITY

Belief in self, Take responsibility

Recognize Interconnectedness

Expanded Leadership

Bridging social capital

Sense of possibility Risk taking

Groups work together to establish funds

Families with wealth focus locally

IMPACTSOUTCOMES

• Community Participation & Organization

• Shared Vision • Leadership Development• Transition of Leadership• Youth Empowerment • Inclusive Community• Regional Collaboration• Local Government

Involvement

Strong and Positive Local Community

Community Leadership

Prosperous and Diverse Local

Economy

Business Development

Innovative, Entrepreneurial and Self Reliant

Culture

Capital and Funding

• Ability to Leverage & Maximize Outside Resources

• Innovative & Collaborative Fundraising

• Wealth Retention• Endowment Building, Individual

Community Progress Funds • New Partnerships Formed:

Public/Private

Vibrant Industry Clusters Entrepreneurial Development Regional Business Networks Coordinated marketing New Business Sectors Ideas Incubator

RESULTSRegional

Community Vision for Future

Driven by strategic partnership of:Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic AllianceCommunity Foundation of South Wood County

Developing new strategic partnership relationships with

Educational Institutions and Government

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPSBusiness, Government,Education,Philanthropy

• Bold – breaking out of the norms• Made it a movement and a

community conversation• Created a brand to Grab attention

and make it stick• Created hope and sense of

achievability • Promoted self-reliance and sense of

responsibility to get involved• Partnerships with the media

“Communities flourish because of committed citizens. And that’s what we have in Wisconsin Rapids. With the establishment of the Community Progress Initiative, talented people have come together to study, join cluster teams and study tours, looking for new opportunities to grow our community”

Dave Pryor, owner, Quality Plus Printing

Connie Lodenconniecl73@gmail.com

Volunteering can happen at

any age.

■ 2008 Mid-American Economic Development Council Business Retention & Expansion Program Award

■ Council on Foundations Critical Impact Award for Grant Making – Ford Foundation Grentee

■ 2008 International Econ. Dev. Council Excellence in Economic Development Award – Multiple year program