A PechaKucha presentation by Connie Loden at the National Rural Assembly 2013

1. Case Study
of Community Change
Presented by
Connie Loden - Executive Director
Economic Development Corp-Manitowoc County WI

2. 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

3. • Culture of Entitlement
• Dependency
• Paternalistic
• Stages of Mourning
The Culture

4. 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

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

6. Building a
Strong and
Positive
Community
Creating a
Business
Friendly
Culture

7. 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

8. 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.

9. Access to Capital
• Over $2 million invested
by Angel Investors – in 10
projects
• Jobs expected in 5 years
770
$240,000 Loan Fund
Established

10. 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

11. • 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

13. •Held Youth Rally
•250 Youth involved in Initiative
•Want a voice in decision making
•40 Participants in Teen
Leadership
Youth Participation

15. 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 economic
opportunities and linkages
New ideas that can be
Translated into
viable businesses
Businesses expand their markets
Businesses are run more
Efficiently & Successfully
Novices become interested
In entrepreneurship
Rigorous business plans
Are developed
Entrepreneurial Dev
• Boot camp
• Tech support
• Mentoring network
• Business seminars
• Small B-School
Ideas incubator
Industry cluster
Networks
• agriculture
• downtown revit
• paper/forestry
PROGRAMS
Venture Capital Programs
• Equity Loan Fund
• Business Angel Network
Increased access to
Equity 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 CFSWC
More wealth stays in community
Progress Teams
Are 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 Teams
Achieve 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

16. • 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
RESULTS
Regional
Community
Vision for Future
Driven by strategic partnership of:
Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance
Community Foundation of South Wood County
Developing new strategic partnership
relationships with Educational
Institutions and Government
STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIPS
Business,
Government,
Education,
Philanthropy

18. • 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

19. “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

20. Connie Loden
conniecl73@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