In this presentation held in conjunction with the Economic Development Finance Conference, Don Macke, Director of the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, discussed an approach to economic development designed to help communities and regions grow more effective, efficient, and impactful systems of support for entrepreneurs as a way to strengthen local economies. Through hands-on exercises, participants identified and mapped out the components of their community’s current entrepreneurial development system, and strategized techniques for layering entrepreneurial support systems into community and economic development strategies.

Click here to download the Powerpoint presentation (PDF)
Click here to download the “Entrepreneurial Development Opportunities” worksheet (PDF)
Click here to download the “Entrepreneurial Development Systems” worksheet (PDF)
Click here to download the “Entrepreneur Exercise” worksheet (PDF)

Click here to watch a recording of the webinar
Click here to download the Powerpoint slides (PDF) 

Presenters:

Chione Flegal, Associate Director, PolicyLink
Danielle Bergstrom, Program Associate, PolicyLink
Ismael Diaz Herrera, Director, San Joaquin Valley Rural Development Center
Reyna Villalobos, Community Building Specialist, Central California Regional Obesity Prevention Program
Emily Saunders, Community Development Senior Project Specialist, City of Knoxville, TN

Moderator:
Brett Schwartz, Program Manager, NADO

For more information, contact Brett Schwartz at bschwartz@nado.org

The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under an award with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government.

In this session, Christie Oostema (Envision Utah) explained how a rural implementation toolkit was developed based on the scenarios planning process, with a focus on economic development and innovative strategies for rural and smaller places.  The session also included a discussion led by Dave Conine (USDA Rural Development) of available USDA programs, and how rural places can access those resources to promote greater economic outcomes.

Materials:
Implementing a Regional Plan as an Over-arching Economic Development Strategy – Focus on Implementation Strategies and Toolkit Powerpoint (PDF) 

Fluharty, president and CEO of RUPRI, offered framing remarks about opportunities for the integration of economic development and place-based strategies in rural America.  He described the challenging work facing rural stakeholders in confronting traditional orthodoxies and paradigms to undertake collaborative integration.

Materials:
Progress and Challenges in Place-Based Rural Policies Powerpoint (PDF) 

In this session, Danielle Bergstrom (PolicyLink) discussed how rural and small communities are working to improve local conditions for economic inclusion by growing small businesses, coordinating infrastructure development, working with immigrant populations, partnering with local anchor institutions, and linking workforce pathways to opportunity.  Bill Vanderwall (Minnesota Housing Project) also discussed the Fair Housing Equity Assessment and Regional Analysis of Impediments.

Materials:
Rural Poverty and Equitable Development Powerpoint (PDF)

In 1970, economist Albert O. Hirschman published Exit, Voice, and Loyalty:  Responses to Decline in Firms, Organizations, and States.  In it, Hirschman outlines what he sees as three options available to individuals ensnared in a negative or oppressive circumstance, such as feeling trapped in an unproductive job, belonging to a group that has strayed from its original principles, or living in a repressive society.  People can “exit,” that is, escape or move on without caring about the “fate of the communities whence they came.”  They can show “loyalty,” or do nothing and uphold the status quo of the situation and bear the consequences.  Or, more optimistically, people can use their “voice” and work within their circumstances to make a positive and lasting change for the better.  Cynthia M. Duncan, an expert on rural poverty and economic development, explains how this theory applies to rural communities in her book Worlds Apart:  Why Poverty Persists in Rural America, as well as in shorter articles here and here.

‘Exit’

Much of the research and literature addressing the lives of rural youth today fall into the “exit” and “loyalty” categories, where young people in rural communities either migrate away at the first opportunity, or stay behind with little or no chance to get ahead in a challenging economic environment.  The impact of the outmigration of rural youth has been well-documented, particularly by sociologists Patrick J. Carr and Maria J. Kefalas.  In a piece in the Chronicle of Higher Education in 2009, published shortly before the release of their book Hollowing Out the Middle:  The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means for America, Carr and Kefalas explain:

“The most dramatic evidence of rural meltdown has been the hollowing out – that is, losing the most talented young people at precisely the same time that changes in farming and industry has transformed the landscape for those who stay.  This so-called rural “brain drain” isn’t a new phenomenon, but by the 21st century the shortage of young people has reached a tipping point, and its consequences are more severe now than ever before.  Simply put, many small towns are mere years away from extinction, while others limp along in a weakened and disabled state.”

As rural communities and small towns face the challenges of a changing economy, much has been written about young people either migrating away or staying behind with limited economic opportunities. (Photo courtesy Flickr user .:[ Melissa ]:.)

High school students in Brownsville, PA launched a campaign to redevelop an abandoned lot in the downtown area into a community park with a stage. They have received national recognition for their work.

‘Voice’

Many of the research papers and writings cited above provide strategies for addressing rural poverty and reversing the outmigration of youth– initiatives grounded in education, workforce development, and better preparing young people for the new economy.  In the upcoming months, through this “Youth with a Voice” series, we will add to this discussion by providing place-based examples of small towns and rural communities that have been successful in proactively engaging young people and incorporating their views and ideas into local visioning, planning, and community development.  These places have rejected the concept of the “rural brain drain” and are striving to capitalize on the tremendous local resource that is their youth.

A comprehensive plan or regional sustainability plan by its very nature addresses the needs and demands of future generations.  But don’t forget, some members of those “future generations” are already here with us and many have strong opinions about the type of community they want to live in as adults.  Young people’s voices and ideas must be heard, respected, and incorporated into a community plan if the goal is for long-term sustainability, prosperity, and improved quality of life.  “Young people and their big ideas…can be legitimized by the fact that they will still be around in 40, 50, or 60 years and will inherit the results of current decisions,” notes a youth civic engagement guide from the Orton Family Foundation.  Today’s rural high school students are your region’s future business, civic, and educational leaders – but only if efforts are made to plan and develop your community into a place they will want to live in years from now.

Edcouch-Elsa High School students work with the Llano Grande Center in south Texas to map local community assets and opportunities.

Add to the Conversation!

Stay tuned for more in this series of case studies and other resources which will provide insight into rural communities that are making strong efforts to end the cycle of “sending off their good treasures.”  The communities which will be featured have recognized that an important part of the complex and multifaceted effort to encourage young people to invest in their rural communities and small towns is to listen to their needs, hopes, and dreams.

If you have worked with or know of a small town or rural region that has successfully engaged youth in planning and civic participation, contact Brett Schwartz, Program Manager, at bschwartz@nado.org or 202.624.7736 to add to the conversation.  We hope to spark a dialogue around ways to incorporate young, creative, and energetic voices into planning their communities for a better future.

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The work that provided the basis for this publication was supported by funding under an award with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government.

The Baca Building (right) and Estella’s Café (middle) are local landmarks on Bridge Street in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Families and individuals have been critical in supporting the city’s historic preservation efforts.

It has often been said that “If you’ve seen one rural town, you’ve seen one rural town.”  This observation is certainly true as each community has its own geography, history, natural resources, climate, and demographics.  However, the unique nature of each town should not serve as a barrier for sharing success stories and best practices because communities – particularly small towns – can learn much from each other about building partnerships, seeking innovative funding opportunities, and encouraging community participation in economic development projects.

While not every small town will have the same local assets and advantages described in these case studies, every community does have the opportunity to look at itself, bring residents and elected officials together, and set a vision for how to take advantage of local assets in whatever form they take.  It is the goal of these case studies  to provide a snapshot of a few communities that have succeeded in beginning to make those visions a reality.  Click here for an overview of the case studies

Featured Case Studies:

• Las Vegas, New Mexico
• Guthrie, Kentucky
• Potosi, Wisconsin
• Greenville, Kentucky
• Lavonia, Georgia
• Sheridan County, Wyoming
• Lewistown, Pennsylvania
• Clinton, Iowa
• Rome, Georgia

A citizen-supported restaurant and hotel tax in Greenville, Kentucky established a Tourism Commission which has financed downtown façade improvements as well as free festivals and concerts, including the popular summer music series, “Saturdays on the Square.” (Photo Courtesy of Greenville photographer Amy Hourigan)

Contact Brett Schwartz, Program Manager, at bschwartz@nado.org or 202.624.7736 with any inquiries.

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These case studies were researched and written by NADO Research Foundation Fellows Parrish Bergquist and Brett Schwartz. NADO Associate Director Kathy Nothstine provided editorial review and guidance. This project is based in part upon work supported by the Federal Highway Administration under Agreement No. DTFH61-10-C-00047 and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under Agreement No.  DCSGP0003-11. The substance and findings of the work are dedicated to the public. The author and publisher are solely responsible for the accuracy of the statements and interpretations contained in this publication. Such interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views of the Government or the NADO Research Foundation.

‘The Good Ol’ Days Are Back’

Located in Southwestern Wisconsin near the banks of the Mississippi River, Potosi is known as the state’s “Catfish Capital.”  However, thanks to an innovative and community-led redevelopment project, this town of 700 people is becoming internationally-recognized for another one of its homegrown resources:  locally-brewed beer.

In 2008, after being abandoned for over 30 years, the Potosi Brewery once again began producing beer from its facility on South Main Street.  The newly restored historic site is also now home to the American Breweriana Association’s National Brewery Museum and other attractions, making it a major tourist destination in the region for beer enthusiasts from all over the United States and throughout the world.  During the first year of its reopening, the brewery had around 50,000 visitors from every state and over thirty countries.  In 2012, it is estimated that over 70,000 people passed through the small village to visit the brewery and museum, as well as to enjoy the variety of outdoor recreational opportunities in the area such as swimming, hiking, and fishing.

The Potosi Brewery as it stands today, renovated after it was vacant for three decades. (Photo courtesy of the National Brewery Museum)

Outside the brewery, a large vintage-looking advertisement proudly exclaims:  “Because of you, the good ol’ days are back.”  This sign is not a mere advertising gimmick.  Potosi’s success story truly has been about the village’s citizens coming together as a community to invest and rally behind a long dormant local asset.  While it is the brewery’s product – beer – that gets the headlines and brings in the visitors, Potosi’s accomplishments are rooted in the people of the village who revived and re-branded an important part of their history, embraced historic preservation, and developed a unique business model that has led to its success today.

Potosi’s Rich Brewing History

The Potosi Brewing Company survived the Prohibition era and went on to become the fifth largest brewery in Wisconsin. (Photo courtesy of the Potosi Brewing Company)

The history of beer production in Potosi dates back to 1852 when a small brewery first opened in the village.  During this time, many small Wisconsin towns had a local community brewery or cheese plant to serve residents, farmers, and laborers in the days before refrigeration allowed products to travel great distances.  However, it wasn’t until 1886 when Adam Schumacher bought the brewery and later formed the Potosi Brewing Company with his brothers that the brewery began to reach far beyond southwest Wisconsin.  Unlike many other small breweries, Potosi was fortunate to survive the Prohibition era and would eventually go on to become the fifth largest in the state, selling beer all over the United States.  Until its closing in 1972 due to the high cost of doing business, the Potosi Brewing Company was the primary employer in town for 120 years.  In 1980, the brewery buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Despite its historic status and importance to the community, the brewery sat vacant and slowly deteriorated, also suffering damages from a fire that broke out in the complex.  For years, it looked as if the buildings would serve only as a dilapidated reminder of Potosi’s prosperous past until 1995 when local artist and woodworker Gary David and his cousin Denis David bought the brewery buildings for the cost of back taxes with the goal of restoring them.

A Local Asset Is Brought Back to Life

Five years later in 2000, renovation efforts expanded to involve the entire community with the establishment of the 501(c)(3) non-profit Potosi Brewery Foundation, modeled after the philanthropic Newman’s Own Foundation.  Upon its creation, the Foundation’s goals included renovating the brewery and ensuring it would be a “self-sustaining entity,” helping to “reconnect the community to a part of its cultural heritage,” and making the complex a tourist attraction and educational center highlighting Potosi and the greater region.  In 2001, the 28,000 square-foot brewery complex was donated to the Foundation which organized the redevelopment and funding efforts that would eventually culminate with the brewery’s grand reopening in June 2008.

Local businesses in the area all complement each other by providing lodging, retail, and event space. Click the picture to enlarge.  (Photo created using Google Earth)

The $7.5 million restoration project was funded from a variety of federal, state, and private sources.  As part of the USDA’s Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program, the federal government backed a $2.6 million loan which was extended by the Mound City Bank.  Additional development costs were then guaranteed by another USDA loan of $660,000.  The project also received a total of $849,000 from the Federal Highway Administration’s National Scenic Byways Program.  State historic preservation challenge grants, transportation enhancement grants, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) brownfields grants for assessment and cleanup of the buildings provided a large part of the initial funding.  In February 2010, the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SWWRPC) made a $75,000 loan from its EDA Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) for additional expansion.  “Small towns like Potosi know that the only way to pull off projects like this is to seek funding from a variety of sources,” explains Linda Hanefeld, a project manager with the Wisconsin DNR.  The Foundation was able to raise five million dollars for the project, and is currently making steady progress in paying off the remaining loans.

A Visit to the Brewery

The National Brewery Museum, located at the Potosi Brewery, contains exhibits featuring historic beer bottles, cans, glasses, as well as other memorabilia and artifacts.  (Photo courtesy of the National Brewery Museum)

In 2004, the Potosi Brewery Foundation received a major boost to its redevelopment efforts when the brewery was chosen by the American Breweriana Association (ABA), an organization of beer historians, collectors, and preservationists, to be the home of the National Brewery Museum.  “It is a facility that Milwaukee, St. Louis, and others were trying to land, but here it is in Potosi,” says village president Frank Fiorenza, who has also been on the brewery’s board of directors since 1999.  “Landing a national museum with more than $2.5 million of artifacts changed the scope of things.”  The museum, managed by both the ABA and the Foundation, features historic beer bottles, cans, and glasses, as well as other memorabilia and artifacts displayed in both permanent and changing exhibitions.  The museum also houses the ABA’s Brewery Research Library which is open to the public.  In addition to the National Brewery Museum, the brewery has two other museums – a transportation museum and an Interpretive Center highlighting the historical and economic importance of the nearby Mississippi River.

Visitors to the brewery complex have a variety of entertainment and retail options while on the grounds.  These include a restaurant and outdoor beer garden which often serves meats, cheeses, and produce from area farms.  The restaurant’s handcrafted wood bar was made by artist Gary David, whose original vision helped spark the revitalization of the brewery after he first purchased the grounds.  A gift shop and art gallery showcasing work from local artists are located across the street from the brewery.  Potosi’s population swells in the summer with the annual Potosi BrewFest which attracts beer enthusiasts for beer and wine tastings, food, music, and tours.

A Local and Regional Economic Impact

“The brewery project was never an end in itself,” notes Potosi’s Fiorenza, who was instrumental in seeking funding for the project.  “I always saw it as a catalyst for additional economic development in the village.”  In its four years of operation, the brewery has provided a major economic boost to Potosi, creating 70 direct jobs and showing consistent financial returns from an increase in beer and merchandise sales.  2012’s beer sales are 13% higher than the previous year.  The restaurant has seen a 7% sales increase and gift shop sales are up 5% as many of the 70,000 visitors to the brewery have opted to bring home a reminder of their visit to Potosi.  The brewery now has ten distributors in Wisconsin, three in Iowa, and four in Illinois.

Importantly, the brewery’s economic impact reaches far beyond its location on South Main Street.  A 2009 Economic Impact Assessment written by the Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission with additional research from the Grant County Economic Development Corporation found that the brewery had a $4.3 million impact on the region, generated by wages, beer and merchandise sales, and additional tourist revenue.   The study recognized the importance of local volunteers in supporting the brewery’s business model, noting that “[t]he organization is volunteer-driven and it would not likely have the impact it has had without those efforts.”  A new report is expected to be conducted soon which will likely show an even greater impact as the brewery has expanded its operations and seen an increase in visitors since the 2009 report.  Frank Fiorenza believes that a key part of the brewery’s success as a redevelopment project is that there was a long-term economic vision in addition to the historic preservation element.  “We had a product to sell – a beer with a recognized name. What is restored has to have some business component built into it so that it becomes self-sustaining.  A revenue-generating aspect has to be part of the restoration process to pay its own way,” he advises.

The Holiday Gardens Event Center, located across the street from the brewery, hosts a variety of special events and wedding receptions.  (Photo courtesy of the Holiday Gardens Event Center)

The brewery is closely interconnected with other thriving local businesses in Potosi which creates wider economic development for the village.  Prior to the brewery’s reopening in 2008, the Holiday Gardens Event Center and Pine Point Lodge both opened up nearby.  Holiday Gardens, located across the street from the brewery, hosts a variety of special events and wedding receptions throughout the year, serving about 18,000 guests annually.  “Many of our brides and grooms have their rehearsal dinner at the brewery and visit there on the day of their receptions,” says owner and manager Sharon Bierman, who runs Holiday Gardens with her family.  “We also keep Pine Point Lodge and the Potosi Inn booked for their rooms with wedding party members and out-of-town guests.”  The Pine Point Lodge was built a year before the brewery was completed and features four fully-furnished rental cabins near the Mississippi River.  Owner Mark Bode and manager Julie Oyen recognize the value of all the businesses in the area providing compatible services.  “We all have a part in making this work.  The efforts of the brewery, Holiday Gardens Event Center, the art gallery, and others all play an important role to make it all work for the good of our community and town,” says Oyen.

‘It Takes Patience and Persistence’

Potosi’s ability to turn a distinctive local asset into a world-class destination is due in large part to the Potosi Brewery Foundation implementing creative strategies that have embraced historic preservation, the tourism industry, innovative financing, and an effective non-profit business model.  Potosi has also benefited from additional local advantages.  “We have the Mississippi River at our doorstep, beautiful four-season scenery, friendly people, and great beer,” notes Sharon Bierman of Holiday Gardens.  Frank Fiorenza understands the unique nature of the project his town has undertaken and recognizes that not every small community has the assets or willpower to do so.  “I would like to believe that it can be [replicated elsewhere], but it takes a commitment and dedication of time that is not always easy to find.  It takes patience and persistence.  It takes community support.  It takes the right people to organize and spearhead efforts,” he says.  “Not every community has an historic building that can be restored, but perhaps there is a non-profit enterprise that can be supported to advance economic vitality.”

“Because of you, the good ol’ days are back…” reads a sign outside the brewery. Community involvement and volunteer support was instrumental in making this project a reality.  (Photo courtesy of the Potosi Brewing Company)

Award-winning beer and brewing history may be what brings visitors from all over the world to this small Wisconsin town.  But it is the people of Potosi that have made this project work, from local residents initially deciding to buy to the property, to the community’s involvement in the planning and visioning stages, to the over 100 volunteers who support the Foundation in a variety of capacities each year.  An emphasis on local – local beer, local food, and the local people themselves – have all contributed to the success seen here.  While the sign outside the brewery proclaims that Potosi’s “good ol’ days” have returned, the town’s economic development strategies that are rooted in a creative approach to main street redevelopment have set Potosi on a path to enjoy many more good days long into the future.

This case study was researched and written by Brett Schwartz, NADO Research Fellow.

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This is part of the NADO Research Foundation’s Vibrant Rural Communities series of case studies, which describes how rural regions and small towns across the country are growing local and regional economies and creating stronger communities. This series shows how communities can leverage a wide range of tools and resources to build on their assets, protect their resources, and make strategic investments that offer long-term benefits.

This project is based in part upon work supported by the Federal Highway Administration under Agreement No. DTFH61-10-C-00047. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of FHWA or the NADO Research Foundation.

View Seager’s presentation:

Currently, the U.S. House of Representatives has yet to move the Postal Reform Act of 2011 (HR. 2309), introduced by Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Dennis Ross (R-FL). The measure, which cleared the House Rules Committee on March 29, would allow the USPS to end Saturday mail delivery, streamline postage rates and require postal workers to pay the same health insurance premiums as federal employees. It would also establish a financial control board to overhaul postal finances and establish a separate commission to recommend which postal facilities should be closed. It is unlikely that the House will vote on the Postal Reform Act before the November elections.

On April 25, the U.S. Senate passed the 21^st Century Postal Service Act (S. 1789) by a vote of 62 to 37, which would bar the USPS from ending Saturday delivery for two years, places several geographic and economic restrictions on closing rural post offices, and restructures the pre-funding requirements for USPS retiree health benefits by replacing the current schedule of annual payments to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund with a schedule of annual installment payments. Senate leadership has not indicated whether this legislation will be considered by the House.