14th Annual Minnesota Development ConferenceOctober 1-2, 2009Sheraton Bloomington Hotel

Presenters: David Fluegel; U of M – Morris, Center for Small TownsMuriel Krusemark; Hoffman EDARon Zeigler; SE MN Development Corporation

“Revitalizing Communities”

Energizing Local Communities

• Many approaches– Examples here from my description to Helene– –

• Panel Focus - rural Minnesota case studies• Role of higher education • Hoffman’s Downtown Redevelopment• Direct assistance in SE Minnesota

Shifting Economies and Population

• Rural communities built with profits from Extractive Industries• Major shifts away from Agriculture, Forestry and Mining

– In Ag Country, Mechanization and Smaller Family size lead to larger farms and fewer farmers (see handout)

– People leave farms for jobs in towns, regional centers/large urban areas• Manufacturing thrives with new source of cheap labor in rural areas • People leave small towns for regional centers

– Some Rural Rebound in 1970s; “Back to the Land Movement”• Manufacturing wanes with Globalization; new cheap labor found overseas

– Population movement to larger regional centers and metropolitan areas• Rural areas struggle to diversify economies

– Downtown areas in small towns experience decline as the interdependent relationship between farms and main street businesses continues to deteriorate

– Workforce shortage for new, expanding businesses

University of Minnesota, Morris

• Rural areas search for additional resources/methods

• Focus Groups “want help”, small towns have fewer inherent resources

• Community-based, Partnership centered• 1995 - Center for Small Towns

“Believing in a bright, prosperous future for small communities”

CST Priority Areas

• Community Planning• Sustainability Planning and Programs• Data Analysis and Research• Convening• Brokering• Student and Faculty Involvement

Sustainability Planning and Programs

• UMM campus Sustainability Coordinator• UMM Green Initiatives

– Models of energy production – Green Prairie Alliance

– Local Foods, Hybrid Fleet, Building Retrofit– Carbon Neutral by 2010– Curriculum – Environmental Studies/Science

How it all works

• Students• Faculty • Participatory Process• Partnerships• Build from within• New workforce in energy/environment

www.centerforsmalltowns.org320 589-6451

WelcomeTo

Hoffman

New Businesses

All About Dogs

& Cats 2

Hardware Hank

Bob’s Appliance

McCleary Marketing

Image Xperts

Florist

Corner Store

26 Unique Shops in One Stop

2008 Projects &

Accomplishments

Advanced Manipulator

sExpansion

Healthcare Mall

Second Annual Hoffman Quilt Show Fundraiser

Growing and Blooming Together Grant

MN Twins Grant / Renovation of Softball Field

Established

Farmer’s Market

Sale of bus mechanic garage to Paul Wolff

Provide TIF Funding to RTA

Update school gym heating, shop heating and lighting

John Kleinsasser Gym dedication

Ongoing cooperation with U of M Morris students

• Marcus Grubbs

• Sheila Nezhad

Jeff Wencl

Horizons Program

Community Gardens

Horizons Ambassador

Horizons Shop Local Campaign

Other Notable Neighborhood

News

8th Street LotsNew Townhomes Started

New Runestone Building

Anderson Oil Addition

Purchase of Wally’s Shoe Store and Gary Patch

Building, by Rich Bullick

Purchase of 3 buildings by Image Xperts

New Fire Hall

2009 Goals

• Complete development of Healthcare Mall

• Complete all phases of Horizon Program:

– Block Parties – Plan a Community Garden – Update Community Communication – List Job Sources for Youth–ages 10 + – Start Designing “Buy Local” Campaign – Work on a clothing exchange location – Be ambassadors for ourselves!

2009 Goals

• Continue to promote businesses in Hoffman; maintaining their economic vitality and strive to fill main street store fronts.

• Create a relationship with all the committee’s to share a common goal and capitalize on the strength we have in the Hoffman community.

• Create 5 new jobs• Continue to research available programs

and write grants that will help our community prosper.

• Sale of 8th Street lots

HoffmanThe small town that works…

FOR YOU!!