Rural Communities Need A "Vision"
To Spur Economic Development According To IIRA Staff

Macomb, IL — When assisting rural community development leaders with economic development strategies, the first step should be a "visioning exercise" in planning future development, according to Steve Kline, research associate with the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) at Western Illinois University.

"A recent IIRA survey of nearly 300 Illinois communities with populations less than 25,000 revealed that only 21 percent of the respondents had a formal economic development plan," said Dr. Norman Walzer, director of IIRA, a research clearinghouse for rural issues that assists rural communities in identifying problems and developing solutions. "A vision statement helps the local economic development group identify specific community projects, recognize people responsible for those projects, and develop long-term objectives for the final action plan."

The IIRA project called "Mapping The Future of Your Community" involves three, three-hour workshops where citizens ask vital questions about the strengths and weaknesses of their community, according to Kline. The three workshops are titled "Where Are We Now?","'Where Do We Want To Be?", and "How Do We Get There?".

During the first session, current trends, strengths and weaknesses of the community are examined. A better understanding of those forces which influence the local economy is built. Participants also examine current economic development efforts in the community.

In the second session, participants divide into smaller task groups of five to eight people. Each group creates a vision of the community and examines community needs and resources to make the vision a reality. Participants begin to focus on specific strategies for economic development.

In the final session, participants organize to act on the strategies that have been selected. Desired outcomes are determined, including a timeline with target dates for completion.

"The program requires a small time commitment and few resources to help government and community leaders plan for their future," he said. "It also requires that local leaders organize a broad-based economic development committee before meeting."

According to Walzer, IIRA can serve as a resource to community economic development groups to provide access to information and services that helps them achieve their goals. Information and services include: retail trade analysis, industrial targeting, business retention and expansion, economic impact analysis, community economic profile, economic database access and retrieval, resource library, economic development conferences, interactive video educational programs, export assistance to business and access to a network of additional economic development professionals.

"Upon completing the three phases, IIRA staff prepare a specific community report comprised of identifiable trends, vision statement, long-term goals, agreed-upon projects, a calendar of activities and a responsible party for initiating the activities," said Kline. "With a plan, in writing and agreed to by all participants, efforts can be directed to ensure success."

For further information, contact Steve Kline, IIRA, 518 Stipes Hall, WIU, Macomb, IL 61455, 309-298-2237.•

Page 14 / Illinois Municipal Review / May 1992