Summit: 09South Haven, Michigan

Vision Friday, November 6, 2009

Randy Parry, President

Vision

What do we want to: Look Like

Be Like3-5-10 years from now

Transformation vs. Revitalization

Grassroots

Kids spark community understanding

Leadership from within

Strategic community plan

Inclusiveness Interviews

Everyone Is A Resource

Task Force and Committee Meetings

Over 300

Research and Analysis

County and Surrounding

Counties

Strategic Planning Team

NetworkingCoordinationCooperation

Collaboration

Implementation of Living Plan

People Who Know It Best Call This

Place Home

Diverse and Inclusive Collaborative Planning for the Future

Placed Based Learning

What is this place we call Home?Researching DataAnalyzing the DataGrassroots Input Creating the Strategic PlanCommunicating the PlanLeaders Making Informed Decisions on

AnalysisTelling the Stories

Description of Community Vision Meetings

Students and Community coming together

Large group meetingsSmall home group meetingsDiscussed shared vision of the communityRead relevant articles on community

developmentProblem solving

◦Identifying the problems◦Defining the underlying causes◦Selecting Solutions

The Effects

• Demonstrate that every person’s ideas are valued and every person is a resource

• Demonstrate that local people can change the financial outlook of their community

• Facilitate strategic thinking, form new alliances and identify emerging leadership

• Determine decisions on the basis of facts rather than opinion or personal interest

• Demonstrate that local people can provide the leadership to implement their community’s strategic objectives

Multi-Dimensional Solutions

Creation of a Long-Term Strategic PlanDo away with “Silo Mentality” LeadershipBroad-based Informed Decision MakingDevelop Regional CollaborationsInvest & Support LocalDevelop a New Economy--Economic

Engines Create Life-Cycle Housing

The Plan

Economic Development Housing

People & Organizations(capacity building)

Economic DevelopmentInvesting In & Supporting The Local Economy

• Improving & Communicating Access to credit

• Supporting & Facilitating Renewable Energy Industry Development

• Supporting & Enhancing Systems of Business Recruitment, Expansion & Retention

• Developing & Implementing Community Beautification Programs

• Creating & Providing Access to Systems of Affordable Quality Childcare

• Facilitating Development & Promotion of Local Tourism

• Developing & Building Rural Learning Center

Housing

Developing & Rehabilitating Housing

Low-Income Housing

Housing for Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities

People & Organizations Working Together

Increasing Investment in Miner County

Managing Strategic Leadership Change

Managing Strategic Organizational Change

Industrial Park

Industrial Park

Intentional Leadership Development For Positive Systemic Change

Committee/Advisory Role to Leadership Decision Making

222% Increase in New Leaders since 2000

170% Increase in Groups Working to Implement Plan

TRANSFORMATION

NOT JUST BETTER

BUT DIFFERENT

Energy Maintenance Service

Knight & Carver

The Plan

Economic Development

Housing

People & Organizations(capacity building)

Miner County Development Corporation (MCDC) dba

Whispering Winds Assisted Living

Miner Homes Inc.Independent Living

Housing

Creating and maintaining affordable life-cycle housing through:◦ housing construction and◦ rehabilitation of property.

The Plan

Economic Development

Housing

People & Organizations(capacity building)

Building Capacity

Communities that invest in themselves are successful◦Financial Capital -- $$$◦Human Capital -- education, health, attitudes

◦Environmental Capital -- natural resources◦Social Capital -- relationships of trust and exchange

◦Courtesy of Daryl Hobbs

• Miner County Christian Alliance• Miner County Awareness & Assistance• Carthage Improvement Association• Miner County Historical Society• Miner County Art & Culture• Miner County Mentoring• Children’s Care Corner• Miner County Heritage Fund• CORELLL• Miner County Development Corporation• Rural Learning Center• Fedora Volunteer Firemen

Formed Organizations

Vision Statement

The Miner County Economy will◦meet basic consumer needs◦will be driven by attracting, involving, and

retaining talented and progressive individuals. We will create an attractive

environment with amenities and a quality of life necessary to attract and retain talented, progressive individuals.

Organizations will collaborate

We have seen the future…

Miner County Lessons Learned

• Value All People• Help Residents Improve Their “Hometown Economy”• Build Leadership, Strategic Thinking, and Alliances• Base Decisions on Facts• Be Sure Local People Lead• Use Grassroots Discussion to Create Commitment• Continually Foster Relationships and Resources• Seek Broad-Based, Informed and Dedicated

Leadership• Commit to the Long-Term• Share the Stories

MinerCoLessons.org

Thank You!

Let us ReImagine Rural and become the Architects of Change