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

gbec@vierbicher.com

Local Government Institute of Wisconsin

Exec_dir@localgovinstitute.orgwww.localgovinstitute.org