The announcement and program are available on our website:

www.IIRA.org

RegistrationEarly Bird RateEarly Bird Rate: $175.00 per person for registrations postmarked by February 16, 2020. The registration rate after February 16 and for registrations at the door is $200.00 per person. The registration fee includes networking opportunities Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, lunch on Wednesday, a continental breakfast on Thursday, and breaks on both days. Register online at http://www.iira.org/conferencetraining/ or use the enclosed registration form.

LocationPresident Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 701 E. Adams, Springfield, Illinois, 62701; (217) 544-8800. If making reservations online, please use code “IIR”.

LodgingRooms at reduced rates have been set aside for conference participants at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel, Springfield, IL. Rates per night are $85.00 (single) and $100 (double). Room reservations are subject to availability; to receive this rate reservations must be made by February 04, 2020. For reservations call (217) 544-8800. Be sure to ask for the Rural Community Economic Development Conference rate.

ParkingThe Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs will provide a free parking pass for those staying at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel. *Must park in the self-parking garage adjoined to the hotel.

Questions?Call Sandy Wittig at (309) 298-2637, or send an e-mail to SK-Wittig@wiu.edu.

Conference HighlightsThe 31st Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference begins on Tuesday evening (February 25) at 7:00 pm with an opportunity to enjoy light refreshments with presenters and IIRA staff. On Wednesday the morning plenary session features speakers who will discuss creative strategies for the future of rural Illinois. Breakout sessions on Wednesday afternoon will highlight successful community revitalization strategies and innovative practices applicable to rural areas. Each session will be repeated to provide participants an opportunity to attend four sessions. On Thursday morning the conference continues with Workshops on community and economic development techniques. Register by February 16 to receive the Early Bird Rate and guarantee your spot. We look forward to seeing you in Springfield on February 26 and 27. Updates at www.iira.org

31st AnnualRural Community Economic Development ConferenceKeeping Rural an Exciting Place to Live and Work

February 26 and 27, 2020President Abraham Lincoln HotelSpringfield, Illinois

Presented by

Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs Western Illinois University in conjunction with

Governor’s Rural Affairs Council Chaired by Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton and

Rural Partners®

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDMACOMB, IL 61455

PERMIT NO. 489

When 3

register from your

organization or

community, a 4th

attends FREE!

Register online at www.iira.org or return the form below by mail or fax. Register by February 16th to qualify for the Early Bird Rate! When 3 register from your organization or community, a 4th attends FREE!

Name (please fill out name the way you want it to appear on your nametag):

Last Name ___________________________________________ First Name___________________________________________

Job Title _____________________________________________ E-Mail _______________________________________________

Organization/Business/Affiliation ____________________________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________

City ___________________________________ State _________ Zip _________________ Phone ________________________

Conference Fee: Postmarked by 2/16/20 = $175.00 Postmarked 2/17/20 or later = $200.00

Payment Method: Check # ___________ Invoice

Return this form and your check toIllinois Institute for Rural AffairsStipes Hall 518Western Illinois University 1 University CircleMacomb, IL 61455-1390Fax: (309) 298-2142WIU FEIN Number: 37-0910458

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

8:00-9:00 am Registration

9:00-10:30 am Finding Opportunities in an Era of Demographic Changes

Moderator: Christopher Merrett, Director, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA)

“New Views on Rural Opportunities: GRAC Strategies”Hon. Juliana Stratton, Lt. Governor, State of Illinois

“Revitalizing the Illinois Economy and Building the Workforce of the Future” Erin Guthrie, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

“The Digital Age: So What for Rural?” Roberto Gallardo, Purdue Center for Regional Development

10:30-10:45 am Break

10:45-Noon Rural IL—Strategies for Future Opportunities

Moderator: Norman Walzer, Director Emeritus, IIRA

“Creating Age-Friendly Livable Communities” Terri Worman, Illinois American Association of Retired People (AARP)

“Broadband and Economic Development” Matt Schmit, DCEO

“Update on Rural Partners” Molly Hammond

12:00-1:00 pm Lunch and Networking

12:30-1:00 pm Annual Meeting of Rural Partners®

1:00-1:45 pm II. Creative Successful Community2:00-2:45 pm Revitalization Strategies

“Digital Inclusion and Community Development: Programs, Resources, and Examples” Roberto Gallardo, Purdue Center for Regional Development

“Livable Small Towns: Strategies that Work” Terri Worman, Illinois AARP

“2 Million Acre Living Lab: Developing Indiana’s Wabash Heartland into a Global Epicenter of Digital Agriculture and Next-Generation Manufacturing” Johnny Park, Wabash Heartland Innovation Network

“Engaging Youth in the Nonprofit Sector: An Economic Development Model” Rick King, Three Pillars Foundation

“Rural Business Succession- Preparing for the Silver Tsunami” John Bennett and Jennifer Hawkins, University of Minnesota- Extension

“Making the Connect Illinois Vision a Reality” Matt Schmit, DCEO

2:45-3:00 pm Networking Break

3:00-3:45 pm III. Innovative Practices in4:00-4:45 pm Communities

“The Impacts of Dollar General Stores in Rural Illinois Communities” Christopher Merrett, Director, IIRA

“Tax Increment Financing: Emerging Quality of Life Concepts for the Future” Steve Kline, Economic Development Group, Ltd. Herb Klein, Jacob & Klein, Ltd.

“Creating New Strategies for Rural Places” Brenda Middendorf, Pike County EDC Dallas Thueringer, Peace Corps Fellows Program

“Homegrown Tools for Economic Development: Lessons from North Carolina and Beyond“ Carolyn Fryberger, University of North Carolina

“Development Opportunities in the Hemp Industry” Dan Marlow, Spectra-Hemp.com

“DCEO Regional Plan Implementation Session” Agnes Masnik, DCEO/RED Team

5:15-6:30 pm Networking Hour

Thursday, February 27, 2020

8:30-10:00 am IV. Workshops on Designing a Future for Rural IL

10:00-10:30 am Break

“Resource Roundup” Robin Hanna, IIRA, with State/Federal Agencies

“Rural Affordable Housing-Planning, Programs, and Projects” Amy Bashiti, IHDA, Moderator Jeff Cozadd, Western Illinois Regional Council Andrea Runge, IACAA/ICADC Camille Doris, Southern Illinois Coalition for the Homeless

“Options for Rural Downtowns in the Future” Lindsey Wallace, National Main Street Center

“Basics of Small Business: Best Practices for Assisting Entrepreneurs in Your Community”Sean Park, IIRA Illinois Cooperative Development Center

12:00 Noon IIRA Conference Adjourns

Illinois Rural Community Economic Development Conference Keeping Rural an Exciting Place to Live

Agenda

10:30-12:00 pm

I am pleased to invite you to the 31st Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference held February 26 and 27, 2020, in Springfield, Illinois. The 2020 conference will highlight current efforts to increase the full potential of rural Illinois. Speakers will explore the benefits of creating sustainable places designed to improve the quality of life for rural residents. Sessions this year will include developing age-friendly communities, broadband opportunities, digital inclusion, and engaging youth, while also identifying existing assets in rural regions. Strategies to adjust to changing demographics and to develop the hemp industry will be discussed. A pre-conference mixer event on Tuesday evening provides those arriving prior to the conference an opportunity to meet the speakers in an informal setting. Please plan to join us from 7 to 9 pm in the Lincoln Room to enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, network and share your ideas with like-minded individuals. We look forward to seeing you in Springfield.

Christopher D. Merrett Director, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs

Checks should be made payable to the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs.

To register four people and receive the fourth person free, register online at www.iira.org, or call (309) 298-2637.

Registerby February 16thand get theEarly BirdRate!