illinois institute for rural affairs: catalyst for rural community economic development
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A case study presentation on the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs and its role in fostering rural development. Presented by Dr. Norman Walzer and Dr. Chris Merrett to the PASCAL 2012 Conference on University Outreach and Engagement in Brest, France.TRANSCRIPT
Norman Walzer* and Chris MerrettFounding Director Emeritus Director
Illinois Institute for Rural AffairsWestern Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455
Presentation to
PASCAL 2012 Conference on University Outreach and Engagement
Brest, France
*Dr. Walzer is Senior Research Scholar in the Center for Governmental Studies, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
ILLINOIS INSTITUTE FOR RURAL AFFAIRSCATALYST FOR RURAL COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Presentation Overview
Background and Purposes of IIRA Mission, Vision, and Goals Management and Measurement Structure
Inputs, Activities, Outputs, Outcomes, Impacts
Organizational Structure and Programs Accomplishments and Results Lessons Learned
Task Force on the Future of Rural Illinois (1986)
• Issues Raised• Small City Population and Employment Declines• Loss of Rural Youth• High Unemployment• Poor Rural Economic Conditions• Confusing Access to State Programs
• Responses• Governors Rural Affairs Council• Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (Western IL University)• Center for Value‐Added Agriculture (Univ IL Urbana‐Champaign)• Center for Health Policy (Southern IL University)
Overview of the IIRA
• IIRA founded in 1989 at WIU• Executive Order Identified IIRA As The “The State’s Academic Clearinghouse For Rural Development Data And Initiatives.”
• Provide Research And Technical Assistance To The Governor’s Rural Affairs Council (GRAC).
• Resources.• Started With $250K (USD) In Appropriated Budget + Grant
• Currently 40 FTE Including Faculty And Outreach Staff
• Annual Budget of Approximately $4.0M USD
• 60% Of Budget Raised Externally (Federal and State Agencies)
Motivations for the IIRA
• Integrated Approach to Rural Issues• Enhanced Understanding of Rural Needs
• Rural is not Only Agriculture (next slide)• Importance of Links With Metro Areas
• Expanded Local Decision‐making Capacity• Greater Rural Strength and Independence• Statewide Resource on Rural Issues• Rural Policy Analyses and Development Support• Clearinghouse Function Outside of State Agencies
Need Diverse CED Strategies
Rural ≠ AgricultureFarm households derive only 17% of their income from farms.
IIRA Mission and Vision
• Mission• To Improve the Quality of Life in Rural Illinois Through Research, Policy
Analysis, and Education by Partnering With Public and Private Agencies in Local Development and Enhancement Activities.
• Vision• …To Be Nationally Recognized For Using An Integrated Delivery System
to Provide Knowledge, Information, and Innovative Strategies in Helping Rural Residents Improve Policy Decisions, Overcome Rural Disparities, and Achieve a High Quality of Life by Maintaining the Long‐term Viability of Communities.
IIRA Goals
• Promote Sound Statewide Rural Policy.• Advance State of Knowledge About Rural.• Provide High Quality Training and Technical Assistance to Support Effective Local Decisions.
• Use Continuous Improvement Techniques to Achieve Effective and Efficient Operations.
Core Values
• Community Development is More than Job Creation.• Successful Solutions Come From Local Initiatives.• Rural Issues Are Broader than Agriculture.• Long‐term Solutions Must Be Sustainable.• Rural Communities Do Not Exist in Isolation.• Successful Community Development Enriches Lives of All Residents.
Policy Formation & Implementation
• Work with GRAC on Policy Issues• Participate in Rural Partners’ Activities• Assist State Agencies with Rural Topics • Serve as Rural Clearinghouse• Publish Annual Report on Status of Rural With Policy Recommendations
• Host Statewide Rural Development Conference
Issues Addressed by IIRA
• Policy Support (GRAC & State Agencies)• Local Community & Economic Development• Business Development• Sustainable Value‐Added Agriculture• Community Health Care• Public Transit• Public Agency Management Support• Information Technology• Housing• Public Education
Faculty Responsibilities
• Conduct Research: Teach in Outreach And Training Programs
• Intelligence Squared – Business Consulting Services• Midwest Community Development Institute• Disciplines represented:
• Economics• Marketing• Public Administration• Geography and Planning• Rural Sociology
(1) Strategic Visioning
(2) Technical Assistance
(3) Implementation Where are we now? Where do we want to be? How do we get there? How to Keep Momentum?
Goal:Prioritize CED objectives through a grassroots consensus‐based process.
Business Plans Business Retention & Expansion Data Collection / Analysis Economic Impact Analysis Feasibility Studies Fiscal Impact Analysis GIS Mapping Labor Market Analysis Marketing Surveys Renewable Energy Retail Trade Analysis Sustainable Development
Peace Corps Fellows IIRA Follow‐up Midwest CDI AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer Training Statewide Conference Regional Workshops Online materialsGoal:Improve the quality of life for the residents of rural Illinois.
IIRA Programs Linked to Strategies
ProvostProvost
DirectorDirector
MAPPING MAPPING SustainableDevelopmentSustainableDevelopment
Health & HousingHealth & Housing
RuralTransitRuralTransit
DATACenterDATACenter
SBDCSBDC PTACPTAC Peace Corps Fellows
Peace Corps Fellows FacultyFaculty
Management TeamManagement Team
LOGIC Model*
• Inputs• Activities
• Outputs• Outcomes• Impacts
*Patterned after W. K. Kellogg Foundation Model
Aggregate IIRA Metrics
• Professional Articles• Technical Reports• Community Consultations• Phone Responses, Referrals, Web Hits• Seminars/Conferences/Newsletters• Participants Trained on Rural Issues
Example of IIRA Success (Impact)
• Hoopeston, Illinois Housing Project.• Several IIRA programs collaborated with state agencies and a private sector real
estate developer to spur the development of a 25‐home subdivision. Thirteen 2‐3 bedroom homes have been completed as of November 30, 2010. The remaining 12 homes will be completed by the spring of 2011. This $4.6 million development was initiated by Shannon Ruh, a Peace Corps Fellow from WIU. She later became the full‐time economic development director for Hoopeston. Working with an IIRA‐sponsored VISTA volunteer from Hoopeston, the PCF collaborated with the IIRA Health and Housing program (with USDA‐RCDI funds) and the MAPPING program to identify housing needs in the community. With a plan in place, the town of Hoopeston worked with the Illinois Community Action Development Corporation, IHDA and a private sector builder to plan and build the subdivision. In addition to the $4.6 million economic impact, this project resulted in 20 new jobs in Hoopeston along with the prospect of having 25 new homes in the community.
Source: Hicks, Carol. 2010. Hoopeston Subdivision Open for Families. Danville Commercial‐News. November 30. Online: http://commercial‐news.com/local/x713538933/Hoopeston‐subdivision‐open‐for‐families.
COMMUNITIES & COUNTIESSERVED BY THE IIRA
Lessons Learned
• Clear Statement of Mission, Vision, & Goals Integrated into University Missions
• Strong Credibility in University and State Government with Both Parties
• Recognize Importance of Strategic Planning and Use Evidence‐Based Approaches
• Collaboration with Universities and Other Groups• Integration With IIRA Agencies and Market As A Unit• Focus on Programs, Rather Than Projects• Track Effectiveness in Operations and Market Success• Regular Communications (Social Media, etc.)• Celebrate Successes
For Additional Information
Background and Historical Issues
Norman WalzerSenior Research Scholar
Center for Governmental Studies
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
SKYPE: normanwalzer1943
Current Operations
Chris MerrettDirector
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455CD‐[email protected]