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IRP BoardListening Session Results
OCTOBER 11 , 2011IDAHO RURAL PARTNERSHIP BOARD
MEETING
Four simple questions Your vision for rural Idaho Frequent community responses Discussion
What We’ll Cover
Four Simple Questions
1. What don’t you want to see in 5-10 years?
2. What do you want to see in 5-10 years?
3. What obstacles might yield undesired outcomes?
4. What assets support desired outcomes?
#. High-frequency responses.
(Frequently mentioned themes that don’t fit major categories)
Your Vision
What don’t you want to see in 5-10 years?
Outdated infrastructure with insufficient capacity
Lack of jobs > loss of people/resources/tax base
Rapid, unplanned growth; cultural change; loss of small town identity
Increase in federal and state requirements Fewer and lower quality educational opportunities Increase in drug use and other crimes
What do you want to see in 5-10 years?
Business development, related job opportunities
Leadership > cooperates, collaborates, coordinates
Strengthen small-town character and local identity through physical revitalization, enhanced curb appeal, and revitalization of commercial properties
Opportunities for high quality K-12 and adult professional/technical education
Well-maintained natural and built infrastructure
Cities doing financial planning and building reserves. Protection of open space and natural
infrastructure/heritage.
What obstacles >undesired outcomes?
Inflexible top-down regulations and policies that ignore local conditions
Changing or inconsistent leadership Ownership, wealth, and people leaving
communities (due to lack of job and other opportunities)
Insufficient funding and related budget shortfalls
Infrastructure capacity can’t support business growth
Rapid population growth and associated cultural changes.
National and global economic factors beyond local control.
Assets that support desired future?
Natural resources/landscapePeople: smart, creative, committed, hard-
workingSmall-town lifestyle and character +
associated values and outdoor recreation opportunities
Professional development, technical assistance, and funds from agencies, universities, and organizations Technology/information that inform strategy
development. Relatively easy access to policy and decision
makers. Affordable utility rates. Spirit of collaboration.
What Communities Tell Us
What they don’t want to see…
Outmigration of youth after high schoolLoss of senior population, income and
knowledgeEnvironmental degradation (air, land, and
water)Lack of vision and optimismUnplanned development > loss of small-town
valuesInadequate code enforcement > slum and
blightInsufficient support of local businessesLack of diversity in local business
What they do want to see…
Job creation, economic developmentActivities and opportunities for youthCollaboration between leadership and
residentsMaintain environmental and recreational
resources Preserve small-town identityMaintain or expand volunteer
pool/involvementEveryone rowing in the same direction-
forward!
What they perceive as obstacles
Old/dynastic thinkingHistoric rivalriesPersonal and political agendasDiscouragement, despair and disinterestLack of resourcesFinite volunteer poolOutside forces at odds with community
interestInsufficient local control
What they perceive as assets
People (youth, seniors, volunteers)History and cultureSense of community, small-town feel and
valuesClean air and waterForestsRecreational and landscape valuesUnderutilized space (built and natural)
Discussion
Questions? Surprises? Paradoxes? Next steps?