Posts Tagged ‘Michigan’

Homework Assignment: Why are people moving to your region?

May 27th, 2011

I’ve got a homework assignment for you. And it’s going to take a little research. Last week I identified the 30-44 year-old age group as a potential sweet spot for rural communities seeking to attract new residents. At the same time, I challenged people to do their own research and decide for themselves what age group makes sense for community. The challenge begs the question, “Why do people move to your rural town?” Many of us have general answers to this question: It’s a great place to live. Good schools. Lower housing costs. But those answers lack the specificity and details communities need if they hope to be serious about attracting new residents. I know of two projects in the Upper Midwest who are serious about attracting and retaining new residents, and they’ve been doing their homework. The first is located just across the border in Minnesota, where the Upper Minnesota Valley Regional Development Commission (UMVRDC) recently conducted a study titled “Regional Recruitment: Strategies to Attract and Retain Newcomers.” Although the region has typically fared better economically than rural South Dakota, farming and the “prairie pothole” topography dominate. The second effort is a bit further away. Called the Gogebic Range Next Generation Initiative (NGI), this project is located in Iron County, WS and Gogebic County, MI. Although different in geography and environment – iron mining, trees, and low mountains dominant – we share similar outmigration patterns. Like us, the region’s population peaked in the 1920s, and young people are often encouraged to move away. While both regions deserve an “A” for their research efforts, I don’t believe it is cheating when other rural communities take what they learn from this research and apply it to their own communities. To help, I’ll share a few highlights from my notes.

Newcomers have different characteristics

In the case of West Central Minnesota, the study showed that new residents have slightly different characteristics than current residents. Dawn Hegland, Executive Director of the UMVRDC, recently identified a few of these differences in a report to the Yellow Medicine County Board. She explained that new residents:

tend to be well-educated with higher-than-average incomes, and are more likely to buy or start businesses, take leadership positions in the community, and engage in volunteer activities. Sixty percent of them had no previous ties to the area.” (source: "Yellow Medicine County Doing OK," Steve Browne, Marshall Independent, May 11, 2011.)

She also noted that some of newcomers moved to the region without having a job in place. That’s an interesting dynamic worth further investigation.

Gogebic Next Generation Initiative

Among the discoveries I find most compelling from the Next Generation Initiative research is a ranking of the “location preferences” that attract new residents to the Gogebic region. Two factors stand out in this research: First, because the study parallels existing research from the Michigan Cool Cities Study, we see that the reasons people move to this rural region are very different from the reasons people move to urban areas. (see image below) As the project leader, Will Andresen notes rural communities who focus on developing and promoting community assets that urban places have in abundance, may be investing in areas that their target market does not seek. A better approach would be to invest in existing assets that attract new residents. Why not make those assets even better? (source: “Voices of Rural Wisconsin Part Four: Shaping a Healthy Future,” Portal Wisconsin, audio interview)

A second take away from the NGI research is that people who move to the Gogebic region do not rank the need for a job as a top priority. This does not imply that economic opportunities are not important. People have to be able to make a living. But it does suggest that communities can’t place all of their eggs in the job creation basket.

Are you ready to get started?

The West Central Minnesota and the Gogebic projects offer us a glimpse into why people are moving into two rural regions. I’d be interested in hearing how closely what they have discovered matches with what you’ve experienced in your community. I also hope that you will share the results of any research you’ve conducted. Having access to your research won’t eliminate the need for communities to do their own homework. But it will give them a jump start on the process. Photo Credit: jsorbieus - Flickr

Tags: brain gain, Michigan, Minnesota, Next Generation - Gogebic, people atttraction, UMVRDC, Wisconsin
Posted in Community Development, Community Engagement, Economic Development, Rural | Comments (0)

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September 23rd, 2010

Buy Suregasm Without Prescription, I believe rural communities need to strengthen their brand as a part of their economic and community development plans. Too often people see rural communities as places of the past rather than of the future. We need to change that. Purchase Suregasm online, So when I stumbled across an opinion piece offering a contrarian view, I thought I'd encounter arguments I disagree with. I was right and wrong, Suregasm craiglist. Suregasm to buy online,

Economic Development should be about economics

Titled "Economic development shouldn't be about branding Michigan," the article's author, buy Suregasm no prescription, Suregasm in australia, George Erickcek, takes a narrow view of branding. Perhaps the brevity of the article is the cause, buy Suregasm online without a prescription, Suregasm for sale, b

ut I sense Erickcek sees branding as something one hires an advertising guru to create for you. Your role then becomes paying someone else to advertise for you.

That aside, cod online Suregasm, Where can i buy cheapest Suregasm online, Erickcek correctly emphasizes that most businesses choose their locations based on economics. For instance, a strong community brand won't help a rural community of 1000 residents recruit a business needing 500 employees. Nor will a strong brand help if the transaction costs for doing the business in your community are higher than in other locations, ordering Suregasm online. Order Suregasm no prescription, In emphasizing the importance of the economics in economic development, Erickcek argues for increased services communities offer to businesses. He writes:

"I would spend that last economic development dollar on customized training programs, buying Suregasm online over the counter, Buy cheap Suregasm no rx, a business retention call or a business leadership or innovation program, long before I would consider spending it on a branding campaign targeted at a specific industry."

I respect that argument. As a fan of economic gardening, Suregasm in india, Buy cheap Suregasm, I'd like to see more resources devoted to supporting entrepreneurs. But I don't think we can completely ignore the impact a community's identity (its brand) has on its economic growth.

Be a great place to live first

After reading Erickcek's article, I posted a question to Twitter asking, "Is branding important for economic development, Buy Suregasm Without Prescription. http://bit.ly/cCgGKF." This led to an insightful Twitter chat with Mark Rembert (@markrembert) from Energize Clinton County, Suregasm in india. Next day Suregasm, Mark shared a failed rebranding effort for Flint, MI that centered on the development of an amusement park back in the 1980s. He then went on to explain that he thinks that too often communities:

focus too heavily looking outward (marketing) for answers to economic development when they should really be focusing on being a great community doing what they do best." (I've edited the above by expanding abbreviations and connecting tweets.)

He then clarifies in a follow up Tweet:

Perhaps a better way to put it is the best marketing a community can do for itself is to be a great community."

I like what Mark says because it connects product development (building a better community) with branding. When communities get the product right they don't have to spend as much on the advertising required to activate the brand because word of mouth marketing will take over. (That is a bit of what I meant when I wrote "Is advertising the price we pay for being unoriginal.")

I've argued previously that branding efforts should develop organically; that the effort should be connected to the community's aspirations for the future, Suregasm for sale, Suregasm in australia, and that actions (on the part of community members) speak louder than words.

I think Mark's organization, sale Suregasm, Suregasm in mexico, Energize Clinton County, is doing all of the above. I was reminded of this in an article Taylor Struck, saturday delivery Suregasm, Ordering Suregasm online, co-founder of ECC, wrote on the Orton Family Foundation blog titled "Greening Local Economic Development." Although I don't think they are paying anyone to help them rebrand Clinton County, Suregasm overseas, Suregasm medication, there's no doubt in my mind that they are rebranding it.

Wrapping it up

I think Erickcek is correct: We do need more economics in economic development. At least if that means providing meaningful help to entrepreneurs. But we (small, Suregasm trusted pharmacy reviews, Real brand Suregasm online, rural communities) also need to strengthen our brands -- starting with our product. And as we do so, we need to empower others to spread the word about what we offer, Suregasm prices. Buy Suregasm online without a prescription, Maybe this requires a little outside assistance; maybe it doesn't. I want to acknowledge that I have been part of several projects that have benefited from working with a branding professional. Although we felt we knew our brand, Suregasm in usa, Suregasm from canadian pharmacy, we needed some help in communicating it effectively.

But none of the branding would have been effective if we didn't already know who we were and what we wanted to be become in the future. And I'm constantly reminded that if we can't live up to what we say we are, Suregasm over the counter, Buy Suregasm no prescription, our brand is an empty promise. And when that's the case, nobody wins, online buying Suregasm hcl. Suregasm in canada, Photo Credit; SeeMidTenn.com (aka Brent's) - Flickr

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Tags: branding, Economic Gardening, Energize Clinton County, marketing, Michigan, Ohio
Posted in Community Development, Economic Development, Rural | Comments (7)

Buy Asendin Without Prescription

June 15th, 2010

Buy Asendin Without Prescription, I've been in Tacoma, WA this weekend for my niece's high school graduation (Congratulations Melissa!). While waiting for the family to wake from their evening slumber yesterday, I stumbled across an article written by Jeremy Beer for Philanthropy Daily describing the success of a rural Pennsylvania community at reducing the outmigration of young people by providing scholarships to a nearby college.

According to a 2009 article in Inside Higher Education, the two scholarship funds Beer references were established in the coal mining community of Tamaqua, PA in order to "to inspire local students both to go on to college and to stay close to home."

Programs like this are of interest to me for a couple reasons. First, I'd love to see rural communities everywhere develop "people attraction" strategies. To me, people attraction strategies are about making communities places that people want to live. This process begins with young people currently living in the community and extends out from there to adults everywhere.

Second, Asendin discount, Buy Asendin without a prescription, I wonder how it applies to the South Dakota Partnership for Teacher Education project. Can scholarships work as an incentive for new graduates to teach in rural and Native American school districts across South Dakota.

Beer calls on leaders to extend scholarship programs like that of Tamaqua. He writes:

Needless to say, Asendin trusted pharmacy reviews, Asendin in australia, these kinds of efforts could be taken much further. What if a local foundation decided to help pay off local students' college loans, purchase Asendin online, Real brand Asendin online, if they were to return to their hometown areas after graduation. Such a program would have to be designed with care, order Asendin from mexican pharmacy, Online buying Asendin hcl, in order to avoid creating disincentives for colleges to give financial aid or to keep tuition low (in other words, if it were to have the same effect as the ridiculous federal student-loan programs, fast shipping Asendin, Asendin san diego, then we're better off without it). But this could be an especially attractive option for the brightest of local kids who amass considerable debt attending liberal arts schools." (Source: Jeremy Beer, cod online Asendin, Asendin to buy online, "Nudge them Homeward," Philanthropy Daily, where can i find Asendin online, Asendin for sale, June 9, 2010)

I like the idea of extending these scholarship programs, where can i order Asendin without prescription, Saturday delivery Asendin, but I'd recommend the extension be made in the opposite direction with youth engagement activities that connect young people to their community in the years before being offered scholarships. In other words, get kids involved at an earlier age in meaningful community projects.

As Dr, rx free Asendin. Buy Asendin from canada, David Ivan from the Michigan State University states in a presentation at the 2009 Michigan Rural Partners Conference:

Successful communities realize that the first step in reversing the brain-drain in small communities is to create a positive childhood memory that may serve as a consideration in future location." (Source: Dave Ivan, "Can Small Towns be Cool, Asendin prices, Buy Asendin online with no prescription, " a presentation at the 2009 Michigan Rural Partner Conference, slide 38)

It's not that I think extending scholarships to more people is a bad idea. I simply believe that communities need to build an emotional connection with young people before offering scholarships in order for the scholarships to produce the best possible effect.

There are undoubtedly other similar scholarship programs cropping up across Rural America. It would be interesting to learn more about their success and failures, buy Asendin online without prescription. Asendin overseas. Buy Asendin online no prescription. Asendin craiglist. Buy Asendin from mexico. Buy cheap Asendin no rx. Buy no prescription Asendin online. Buy generic Asendin. Asendin gel, ointment, cream, pill, spray, continuous-release, extended-release. Order Asendin from United States pharmacy. Asendin in india. Ordering Asendin online. Asendin to buy online. Asendin in usa. Fast shipping Asendin. Order Asendin online overnight delivery no prescription. Asendin san diego. Asendin from canadian pharmacy. Buy Asendin from canada. Free Asendin samples. Real brand Asendin online. Over the counter Asendin. Purchase Asendin online. Cod online Asendin. Buy Asendin online with no prescription. Buy Asendin no prescription. Asendin in japan. Asendin for sale. Order Asendin from mexican pharmacy. Asendin trusted pharmacy reviews. Buy Asendin online without a prescription. Asendin over the counter. Online buying Asendin hcl. Where can i buy cheapest Asendin online. Where can i find Asendin online. Asendin pills. Asendin in us. Asendin to buy. Where can i buy Asendin online. Buy Asendin without prescription. Rx free Asendin. Asendin from international pharmacy. Where to buy Asendin. Buy cheap Asendin. Asendin prescriptions.

Tags: brain drain, Michigan, Pennsylvania, scholarship program, SDPTQ
Posted in Community Development, Community Engagement, Economic Development, Gen Y, Rural | Comments (2)

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January 29th, 2010

I've commented previously about efforts by travel magazines to identify "cool small towns" (read here and here Buy Rogaine Without Prescription, ). Although these lists provide some perspective for rural community development enthusiasts, Rogaine pills, Saturday delivery Rogaine, I'm a bit skeptical of them largely because they are written from a "tourist's point of view." In other words, they're about what urban dwellers believe is cool, Rogaine over the counter, Over the counter Rogaine, and I'm not sure that always translates to what's important to the future of rural communities. But a new list caught my eye yesterday because it identifies small towns that "are cool" based on how well they are transitioning into the 21^st century economy. Now that's a list worth looking at.

Actually, the list is just new to me. Dr, purchase Rogaine. Real brand Rogaine online, David Ivan at Michigan State University's Land Policy Institute has been researching the subject for the last 4-5 years. With Richard Florida's "Creative Class theory" as the backdrop, Dr, order Rogaine from United States pharmacy. Rogaine in canada, Ivan centered his research around the question, "Can small towns be cool?" Through his research, sale Rogaine, Buy Rogaine from mexico, he has identified both themes of success (i.e. - best practices) and success stories (i.e, buy Rogaine without a prescription. - what small towns are doing good things). Rural community development enthusiasts will find value in both.

Through review of Dr, Buy Rogaine Without Prescription. Rogaine in japan, Ivan's presentation at the 2009 Small Town & Rural Development Conference, I was able to identify the following 10 themes being employed by successful small towns.

Strong engagement between citizens, fast shipping Rogaine, Buy Rogaine without prescription, community organizations, and government (note: he identified third places as a key factor in building civic engagement, Rogaine trusted pharmacy reviews, Where can i order Rogaine without prescription, slide 10);

Local entrepreneurial investment in community;

Community fosters an environment that support entrepreneurship;

Regional view of the economy;

Willingness to adapt for new opportunities;

Actively pursues cultural economic development opportunities;

Cultural efforts are not overly contrived;

Cultural efforts reach out to community youth;

Deliberate effort to engage youth;

Conviction that in the long run you have to do it yourself.

What a great list! Readers at ReImagine Rural will recognize many of the themes as regular topics of discussion. One theme I was surprised to see not addressed was school involvement. Granted youth are prominently featured, online buying Rogaine hcl, Rogaine overseas, but most rural communities operate under the principle that the school is the heart of the community. It causes me to wonder how we can have a successful community without school engagement.

Where's South Dakota in all this?

I became aware of this study because of Richard Longworth's December 2009 blog post titled "Some success." A Google search for "Can Small Towns be Cool" made me aware that I had missed an earlier post on the same subject (May 2009) from my favorite small town entrepreneurship blogger, Becky McCray, order Rogaine online c.o.d. Order Rogaine no prescription, Both Longworth and McCray both identify specific towns that are on the "cool town list." Sadly, no small towns in South Dakota made the cut, buy cheap Rogaine no rx. Rogaine to buy online, What's up with that. Buy Rogaine Without Prescription, As Longworth points out, Dr. Ivan is still conducting research and is interested in hearing of other successful small towns. Hopefully, Rogaine tablets, Buy Rogaine online with no prescription, South Dakota's towns haven't been reviewed yet. But just in case, buy no prescription Rogaine online, Rogaine in us, I'm going to suggest one.

How about Hills City?

I didn't make the Design SD charrette in Hill City, Rogaine from international pharmacy, Rogaine san diego, SD last fall. But from what Lindsey tells me, they should be on the list.

Hill City terms itself "the heart of the hills" due to its location and proximity to major Black Hills attractions, Rogaine craiglist, Buy Rogaine online without a prescription, including Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore. But today, the town is probably better known for its arts economy. Several years ago, next day Rogaine, Rogaine buy, a prominent artist made Hill City his home, and brought with him an idea that Hill City had the potential to develop an arts-based economy. Since that time, Rogaine in japan, Buy cheap Rogaine, the town's leadership has embraced the idea and Hill City's Main Street has transformed itself into an upscale shopping destination for tourists and residents alike. Organizations like the Hill City Arts Council and Heart of the Hills Economic Development Corporation have joined forces to host events, rx free Rogaine, Rogaine pills, encourage entrepreneurs, and build a stronger community (see their explicit goals here). Hill City is definitely one of South Dakota's cool towns, Rogaine over the counter. Buy cheap Rogaine no rx, I've got a few pressing tasks yet today, but I'm definitely going to send Dr, Rogaine price, coupon. Rogaine prices, Ivan my recommendation. And I hope you will share your recommendation as well.

Additional Resources:

"Can Small Towns Be Cool. Study Translation Paper" by Dr, buy Rogaine online cod. Rogaine discount, David Ivan

Design South Dakota

Photo Credit: Cliff1066 - Flickr

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Tags: coolest small towns, creative economy, Hill City SD, Michigan, small town cool
Posted in Community Development, Economic Development, Rural | Comments (9)

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December 3rd, 2009

It's common for bloggers to capture provocative quotes from newspapers and use them to start a little controversy. At ReImagine Rural Buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) Without Prescription, , we're not about controversy, but I couldn't let the following quote from Dr. Frank Fear go by without comment:

"Will rural America be left behind?" he asked, buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online without a prescription. Order Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) from United States pharmacy, "Will small towns, farms and places that have spawned so many things that have made this country great be left behind?" (source: "Michigan State University prepares to dismantle extension, purchase Baycip (Ciprofloxacin), Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) overseas, " Capital Press.)

Dr. Fear, Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) medication, Rx free Baycip (Ciprofloxacin), senior associate dean of agriculture and natural resources at Michigan State, made this statement at the National Grange Annual Convention in response to budgetary cuts that could cause the termination of Michigan's Extension program.

The article, buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) from mexico, Ordering Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online, from which the above quote appears, goes on to note that agriculture in Michigan is currently doing pretty well while the rest of the state's economy is in shambles. In doing so, order Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online overnight delivery no prescription, Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) prescriptions, it raises the question, "Does Michigan need to divert the resources from supporting agriculture to other economic development activities?"

I obviously don't know the intimate details about Michigan, buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) without prescription, Online buying Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) hcl, so I can't offer definitive answers on what they should be doing.

I hope that we never see the end of Michigan's extension program, or any states' for that matter. From what I know about the goings on in Van Buren County, Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) from international pharmacy, Free Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) samples, MI, Extension is a key player in their entrepreneurship initiative. Removing the funding from Extension to recreate it someplace else would seem a senseless waste of resources.

As for Fear's question? In my opinion, purchase Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online, Buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online cod, Rural America has been left behind for a long time - at least in our part of the country.

Other resources
"Dismantling Extension in Michigan" Timothy J. Shaffer (blog) -
Press Release: "Sustain the Legacy, where to buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin). Where can i find Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online, Keep Agriculture and Rural America Vital," The National Grange , buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) no prescription. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) in japan. Where can i buy cheapest Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) san diego. Buy cheap Baycip (Ciprofloxacin). Where can i buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) tablets. Buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online no prescription. Order Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) no prescription. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) overseas. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) prescriptions. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) over the counter. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) tablets. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) in us. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) paypal. Free Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) samples. Fast shipping Baycip (Ciprofloxacin). Buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) without prescription. Buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) no prescription. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) prices. Order Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) from United States pharmacy. Buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online with no prescription. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) trusted pharmacy reviews. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) in india. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) buy. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) in mexico. Buy generic Baycip (Ciprofloxacin). Over the counter Baycip (Ciprofloxacin). Where to buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin). Purchase Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online no prescription. Ordering Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online. Where can i find Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) discount. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) to buy online. Purchase Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online. Where can i buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) craiglist. Buy cheap Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) no rx. Buy no prescription Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online. Buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) from mexico. Buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) online without a prescription. Buy Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) without a prescription. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) in uk. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) san diego. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) from canadian pharmacy. Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) medication. Order Baycip (Ciprofloxacin) from mexican pharmacy.

Tags: entrepreneurship, extension educators, Michigan, The Grange
Posted in Community Development, Economic Development, In the News, Rural | Comments (1)

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November 24th, 2009

Buy Zanaflex Without Prescription, We've placed a little focus on Michigan lately. Last week, Randy offered some thoughts about his work at the Summit:09 conference in South Haven, Michigan. This week Rachel Vochaska, Executive Director of the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce shares some of her thoughts the event as well as the community's plans to spur entrepreneurship.

Interview with Rachel Vochaska

We've been hearing a lot about Michigan in the news over the last year, but most of the news focuses on Detroit and the collapse of the automobile industry. What is happening in South Haven and other rural communities in Michigan?

While the South Haven area has a well diversified manufacturing base, it has been impacted by the collapse of the auto industry and the community has suffered a significant loss of jobs. Over a period of close to 24 months, Nobel International closed two local plants with 250 employees each. To our favor though, the diverse nature of manufacturing in the area coupled with a number of companies who are engineering innovative solutions provides us relative stability even in this downturned economy.

At the Chamber we are receiving numerous small business development inquiries and we are providing triage services to best meet the needs of local entrepreneurs. We have created an inventory of services and resources for those interested in starting a small business and based on the nature of the inquiry we are plugging folks into counseling services through SCORE and the Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC). Enrollment has reached capacity at our local community college and Michigan Works. is providing a heightened level of assistance to those who have been dislocated or who are unemployed.

We are assisting our second stage entrepreneurs in a number of ways. We have provided leadership retreats through the Edward Lowe Foundation with the goal of encouraging peer learning and mentoring while developing leadership skills. We continue to engage about 12 companies in this leadership development process to the benefit of the region. We have connected in with the SBTDC who have deployed services through their Growth Group to help businesses with restructuring and identifying product diversification opportunities. We are working with our regional Procurement Technical Assistance Center to encourage businesses to consider diversifying their customer orientation by engaging in government contracting. Our residential companies are sticking in there, online buying Zanaflex hcl, Zanaflex in usa, staying loyal to the area, and doing what they need to do to ride the storm out.

Being a lake-side resort oriented community well located to Chicago and other metro areas, buy Zanaflex online with no prescription, Where can i buy Zanaflex online, the downturn in the economy has actually benefited many of our local businesses especially those in the hospitality industry (lodging and restaurants). South Haven is a cost-effective, fun loving destination for both regional and out-of-state visitors. We are working diligently in developing shoulder and off-season events and activities that will continue to draw people even during the slower months. We are gearing up our agri-tourism sector and beginning to package not just the great natural amenities associated with Lake Michigan - the lake, rx free Zanaflex, Buy Zanaflex without prescription, white-sand beaches, our river, buy Zanaflex without a prescription, Zanaflex in mexico, and the lighthouse, to name a few - but also the adventure of returning to the farm or even visiting a farm for the first time.

With manufacturing, buy cheap Zanaflex no rx, Online buy Zanaflex without a prescription, agriculture and tourism as the our primary supporters and our economic base, an optimism continues to prevail and entrepreneurs recognize that our abundant natural resources coupled with our ideal mid-west location positions the South Haven area as a great place to live, purchase Zanaflex online no prescription, Zanaflex paypal, work, and play, order Zanaflex no prescription. Zanaflex pills,

As the Director of the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce, your job entails supporting economic growth and opportunities in the greater South Haven area. What are some of the initiatives you are working on that will help you achieve this mission?

The membership of the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce is truly representative of small business, buy Zanaflex online without prescription, Buy Zanaflex from canada, with 68% employing four or less employees and 85% of Chamber members having 10 or less employees. Services provided by the Chamber have been geared appropriately with small business development opportunities through programming and networking events being provided through the Chamber's annual program of work.

In addition these traditional services provided by the Chamber, in 2007 our Board re-defined our direction into economic development. We embarked upon a project to identify the resources and tools available to people interested in starting a small business. What we found out was that we didn't lack the services or products that entrepreneurs needed to get started and to even grow their business, Zanaflex in australia, Purchase Zanaflex, we lacked an effective system to inform entrepreneurs about what was available and then to deploy the resources they needed. We found that small business development service providers and entrepreneurial support organizations were acting in isolation, and as a result of these silos the customer (the entrepreneur) wasn't being well served. So we set out with a mission "to provide a supportive and systematic approach to small business development that will spur economic revitalization and encourage sustainability in Van Buren County", Zanaflex in india, Order Zanaflex online overnight delivery no prescription, marking the birth of BRACE: Business Resources & Counseling for Entrepreneurs!

Last week, you held Summit: 09 -- How Regional Cooperation Sustains Entrepreneurial Development. What is Summit:09 and why did you ask Randy to come out and speak at it?

Summit: 09 was a high caliber learning opportunity for community leaders, delivered overnight Zanaflex, Zanaflex medication, business people and citizens who have a desire to engage in making a difference (transforming Michigan!). With a focus on regional cooperation and entrepreneurship, our goal was to bring folks into the room to hear about what the Rural Learning Center (RLC) is doing and to continue to motivate the shift in working across borders in cultivating our talent - simply said, buy Zanaflex online without a prescription, Zanaflex from canadian pharmacy, coming together to grow our own. At the Chamber, we understand the importance of economic gardening versus the traditional economic model of hunting (recruitment and attraction). As a result, Zanaflex in canada, Zanaflex gel, ointment, cream, pill, spray, continuous-release, extended-release, the Board of Directors has set a vision for our organization that focuses on entrepreneurship. We have lead the charge to develop a county-wide initiative that provides assistance to entrepreneurs in taking their dream to fruition. We are working collaboratively in establishing a supportive and systematic approach to small business development. When we heard about the work of RLC we were intrigued, and we knew that we had much to learn from the Miner County experience. Randy brought a humility to the topic and to summit, where can i buy cheapest Zanaflex online, Order Zanaflex from United States pharmacy, and our shared vision associated with the potential of rural economic development made him a perfect fit with our program and the direction we are heading.

We believe that it is greater than that though. Given both the similarities and differences between our communities, we are excited about embarking upon a journey to further develop our relationship with the RLC. We plan to advance our work by sharing intellectual property and resources via distance learning capabilities. Who knows, Zanaflex prices, Zanaflex over the counter, maybe Miner County and Van Buren County will become a great example of interstate cooperation given this new relationship between RLC and the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce!

What are some of the most important things you learned from the speakers at the conference?

Coming together with a vision and a plan seemed to be a central tenet of Randy's presentation. It was a good affirmation for us as we look at our own economic development efforts. Early on in our BRACE initiative we spent a lot of time sitting around the table identifying the direction and determining who needed to be involved. Eighteen months ago we conducted a very effective Appreciative Inquiry process that laid the foundation for our vision and our program of work (strategic action items), and next month we will re-visit the strategic planning process and determine our direction for the next 18 months.

As a result of Randy's presentation, Zanaflex tablets, Zanaflex to buy, we have 2 communities mobilizing efforts to work through the schools by using students to conduct a community survey. I loved Randy's Cashflow Analysis and remain hopeful that we can carry his survey process to the next level and show true benefit to our communities relative to buying locally.

With the good also come the tough times. Randy did a great job of not just showcasing the successes, he was also willing to reveal the struggles that Miner County and the RLC have experienced. The audience connected at a deeper level in recognizing and appreciating that we grow stronger and gain insight through this adversity.

Note: Rachel offers an interesting idea: "We are excited about embarking upon a journey to further develop our relationship with the RLC.... Who knows, buy Zanaflex online cod, Sale Zanaflex, maybe Miner County and Van Buren County will become a great example of interstate cooperation."

It is always fun to speculate on where new relationships will take us. Connecting with the folks in Van Buren County offers great possibilities. Where that goes is yet to be defined. At a bare minumum, however, saturday delivery Zanaflex, Real brand Zanaflex online, we all have an opportunity to learn from the entrepreneurial efforts being developed in Van Buren County. Through BRACE, it would appear that the folks in Van Buren County are ahead of most of us in this part of the country in their efforts to bring business assistance providers together and create a systematic approach to small business development. Hopefully, where to buy Zanaflex, Ordering Zanaflex online, we get a chance to continue that conversation.

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November 20th, 2009

Buy Methyldopa (Aldomet) Without Prescription, A few weeks ago, Randy Parry travelled out to Van Buren County, Michigan to speak at the community's annual conference. He shared the following thoughts about his time in Michigan.

Interview with Randy

Van Buren County is located in Southwest Michigan. What was your impression of the region? How does it compare to rural South Dakota?

At a county level, Van Buren County is much more populated (78,000 residents) than most of rural South Dakota (2,000 - 5,000 residents), but there are many similarities. Both are rural with agriculture playing an important role in the economy. Both have experienced economic hardship and need to reinvent their futures. One difference worth noting involves the importance of tourism to South Haven, buy Methyldopa (Aldomet) online without a prescription, Methyldopa (Aldomet) buy, the largest community in the county. Tourism is a much smaller part of the economic mix in the other communities in Van Buren County, just as it is a much smaller part of the economy in most rural South Dakota communities.

The region as a whole has experienced incredible economic decline due to the decline in the automobile industry. That decline has happened in a short amount of time, online buy Methyldopa (Aldomet) without a prescription, Methyldopa (Aldomet) in uk, compared to the long economic decline of rural South Dakota.

I was impressed that community leaders in Van Buren have recognized the importance of entrepreneurship as means of transforming their economy. They are more organized in these efforts than what we typically see in rural South Dakota.

You spoke at Summit: 09 -- How Regional Cooperation Sustains Entrepreneurial Development. What did your message focus on?

My message focused on how a community can create a multidimensional community development plan from a grassroots effort. I tried to highlight how our efforts in Miner County started with residents meeting in each other's homes and how that approach lead to a plan that included housing, job development, Methyldopa (Aldomet) in japan, Ordering Methyldopa (Aldomet) online, entrepreneurship, capacity building, delivered overnight Methyldopa (Aldomet), Methyldopa (Aldomet) in australia, and much more.

I also hope that participants took away the importance of youth involvement in community development process. Not only are we building our communities for them, but young people also help communities see their futures differently.

There were several other speakers at the conference. What did you pick up from them, where can i buy Methyldopa (Aldomet) online. Methyldopa (Aldomet) prices,

I was very impressed with George A. Erickcek from the W.E, buy Methyldopa (Aldomet) online cod. Free Methyldopa (Aldomet) samples, Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. He made the statement that "Now that clunkers are no longer gold, buy Methyldopa (Aldomet) online no prescription, Methyldopa (Aldomet) prescriptions, the showrooms are quiet" to make the point that communities must base their community development plans on sustainable strategies - and not band aid approaches like the "cash for clunkers program." I think that Van Buren County is well on their way in this regard with their focus on entrepreneurship and innovation.

Is there anything that you wish you had shared or emphasized more during your presentation?

I wish I had emphasized more the importance of visioning to community development work. I don't think community leaders had thought enough about how important it is to engage everyone in a grassroots effort while developing a plan for the future. Doing so goes a long way towards unifying the community behind the work.

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Tags: entrepreneurship, Michigan, Miner County Cash Flow Study
Posted in Community Development, Community Engagement, Economic Development, Rural | Comments (0)

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May 21st, 2009

When most people think about Habitat for Humanity Buy Dalmane Without Prescription, programs, they think of volunteers helping homeowners build new homes. The New York Times, however, tells us of a Saginaw, MI Habitat affiliate who has added demolition to its mission.

Saginaw is approximately 100 miles northwest of Detroit, Dalmane paypal, Saturday delivery Dalmane, and has experienced outmigration due to tough economic times in the automotive industry. In describing Saginaw, the article notes:

Saginaw.., buy no prescription Dalmane online. Where to buy Dalmane, is a city of contrasts: neighborhoods of enormous, well-kept homes (this was, order Dalmane from mexican pharmacy, Dalmane trusted pharmacy reviews, after all, a lumber town before it was a car town) but also blocks of vacant lots and shuttered houses, sale Dalmane. Where can i order Dalmane without prescription, Sounds like a lot of rural communities in our part of the country could meet this description as well. Nice, Dalmane over the counter, Dalmane from canadian pharmacy, new homes often sit out on the edge of town, while older homes in the community's core have often rotted away, cod online Dalmane. Dalmane tablets, Although my preference is for purchase, rehab, Dalmane buy, Dalmane from international pharmacy, resell programs rather than demolition, anyone who accepts the evidence of broken window theory will appreciate the importance of maintaining tidy neighborhoods. And because the organization's volunteers tear out recyclable features (ie - cabinets, buy generic Dalmane, Real brand Dalmane online, fixtures, sinks, Dalmane craiglist, Buy Dalmane no prescription, etc...) for resell, the organization is also generating income to complete its mission of helping people get into new or rehabbed houses.

The bottom line is that communities with vacant houses need to deal with the issue, delivered overnight Dalmane. Dalmane discount, Saginaw's Habitat for Humanity chapter appears to be pointing the way to one solution.

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April 9th, 2009

Michigan's economy has been pounded by job losses in recent years. To reverse this trend some communities have attempted to increase their investment in traditional marketing and business recruiting. According to Dan Gilmartin Buy Quinine Without Prescription, , the Michigan Municipal League's CEO and executive director, those efforts may be misplaced.

According to an article in the The Daily Telegraph , delivered overnight Quinine, Online buy Quinine without a prescription, Gilmartin told the Adrian (MI) City Commission that community leaders need to focus on making their communities more attractive places to live if they hope to become a part of the knowledge economy. This is important because younger people (Gen Y) identify places they want to live first and then they focus on employment.

So what makes a community a place where people want to live? One of the features Gilmartin identified is third places. (Read more about our thoughts on third places here.)

Gilmartin also dropped a bombshell that is probably still reverberating among community leaders. When asked where the city should invest $100,000 in the chamber of commerce and traditional marketing or quality of life issues, where can i buy Quinine online, Buying Quinine online over the counter, Gilmartin told them quality of life. (Hopefully the chamber is working on these issues already.)

You will find a lot of other interesting ideas in The Daily Telegraph article that Gilmartin shared with the Adrian City Council. I hope you will read it and check out the additional links I've provided below. We could all benefit from learning more about what will make the economy of the future click.

Other Resources

Dan Gilmartin's guest columns on the MetroMode blog. Gilmartin provides his thoughts about important issues for Michigan's cities to consider as they develop a knowledge economy.

Dan Gilmartin: What is Michigan's Redevelopment Plan. In this Slideshare presentation, Gilmartin outlines Michigan's current effort to redevelop their economy, ordering Quinine online. Order Quinine no prescription, Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce Website. A quick review of their website suggests the chamber is already looking at some quality of life issues.

"Localism: What's the attraction" on the New Geography Blog. Written by Connie Loden, real brand Quinine online, Buy cheap Quinine, the Executive Director for Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance, the article describes the impact "localism" and "sense of place" have on attracting people to a community, next day Quinine. Quinine to buy. Buy Quinine no prescription. Quinine discount. Quinine in usa. Online buying Quinine hcl. Buy Quinine online with no prescription. Fast shipping Quinine. Cod online Quinine. Quinine in japan. Order Quinine from United States pharmacy. Buy Quinine online cod. Buy Quinine online without prescription. Purchase Quinine. Where can i order Quinine without prescription. Saturday delivery Quinine. Quinine over the counter. Sale Quinine. Free Quinine samples. Quinine pills. Quinine from canadian pharmacy. Buy Quinine from canada. Order Quinine from United States pharmacy. Real brand Quinine online. Quinine paypal. Order Quinine online overnight delivery no prescription. Quinine in uk. Quinine price, coupon. Fast shipping Quinine. Online buy Quinine without a prescription. Buying Quinine online over the counter. Buy Quinine from canada. Purchase Quinine. Quinine trusted pharmacy reviews. Where can i order Quinine without prescription. Where can i buy cheapest Quinine online. Buy no prescription Quinine online. Quinine buy. Sale Quinine. Quinine prescriptions. Quinine craiglist. Buy Quinine online cod. Quinine medication. Quinine over the counter. Quinine in usa. Ordering Quinine online. Free Quinine samples. Order Quinine online c.o.d. Quinine in australia. Rx free Quinine. Online buying Quinine hcl. Quinine tablets. Where to buy Quinine. Quinine for sale. Quinine to buy. Quinine from canadian pharmacy. Purchase Quinine online.

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