Community Economic Development Information

Local News

Value Added Workshop Series for Agricultural Entrepreneurs 2012
(Posted on 1/20/2012)
The new Sharing Spaces Kitchen is offering an extremely valuable workshop series that will give you the tools to improve your food business. Advance registration is required and space is limited, so early registration is recommended.

Microloans Available for Small Businesses
(Posted on 2/11/2010)
Entrepreneurs in northeast Iowa now have another financing option to launch their ideas. The Northeast Iowa Food & Farm Coalition, or NIFF Coalition, was recently approved as an affiliate of Iowa Microloan.

News from Iowa State University Extension

Towns Selected for 2012 Community Visioning Program
(Posted on 1/12/2012)
Twelve Iowa communities have been selected to participate in the Iowa's Living Roadways Community Visioning Program in 2012: Calmar, Center Point, Chariton, Colo, Dyersville, Manning, Paullina, Perry, Rock Valley, Schaller, Tripoli and Villisca.

Farmland Value Reaches Historic $6,708 Statewide Average
(Posted on 12/14/2011)
Average Iowa farmland value is estimated to be $6,708 per acre, an increase of 32.5 percent from 2010, according to results of the Iowa Land Value Survey conducted in November. This is the highest percentage increase ever recorded by the Iowa State University annual survey.

ISU Extension and Outreach Works with Citizens to Chart a Course for Maquoketa's Future
(Posted on 12/5/2011)
The Maquoketa Area Chamber of Commerce and Office of Economic Development has partnered with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Community and Economic Development (CED) unit for a two-year project to develop a vision for Maquoketa’s future.

Registration Open for Rural Entrepreneurs Summit
(Posted on 11/2/2011)
Registration is open for Rural YES (Young Entrepreneur Summit) Nov. 9 in Ames. Summit sponsors include the Community Vitality Center, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the U.S. Small Business Administration and USDA Rural Development.

Symposium to Feature Fruit and Vegetable Production, Marketing Strategies
(Posted on 10/14/2011)
Fruit and vegetable growers are invited to attend the Tri-State Fruit and Vegetable Growers Symposium Friday, Dec. 2, 12–5:15 p.m. at Stoney Creek Inn, 300 Third Street, Sioux City, Iowa.

Community Visioning Program Application Deadline Extended
(Posted on 10/7/2011)
The application deadline for the 2012 Iowa’s Living Roadways Community Visioning Program has been extended to Friday, Dec. 1. Eligible communities are those with populations of fewer than 10,000, existing transportation-related issues, and a committee of volunteers willing to dedicate their time and talent to the visioning process.

Summit at Iowa State Says “YES” to Rural Entrepreneurs
(Posted on 10/7/2011)
The Community Vitality Center (CVC) and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development are partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration, USDA Rural Development and other sponsors to host a Rural YES (Young Entrepreneur Summit) on Nov. 9.

City Clerks and Finance Officers Can Now Register for Budget Workshops
(Posted on 10/4/2011)
In an ongoing effort to help Iowa’s city clerks and finance officers prepare for the fiscal year budget, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Office of State and Local Government Programs (OSLGP) and the Iowa League of Cities are holding budget workshops throughout the state in November and December.

Work Begins on Iowa’s New Local Food and Farm Initiative
(Posted on 8/11/2011)
Craig Chase, ISU Extension farm management specialist and interim marketing program leader at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, will coordinate the Local Food and Farm Initiative, a new statewide program that aims to boost production, processing, distribution, marketing and consumption of Iowa-grown food.

Wanted: Photos for ISU State Fair Exhibit
(Posted on 8/3/2011)
Iowa State University (ISU) is giving Iowans the chance to display photos at the Iowa State Fair. As part of the university's exhibit in the northeast corner of the Varied Industries Building during the fair, Iowa residents are encouraged to submit photos to illustrate how Iowa State and ISU Extension and Outreach are making a difference in their communities.

Staff

Nick McCann - Food System Value Chain Coordinator
Phone: 563-382-2949
Fax: 563-382-2940
Email: nemccann@iastate.edu

Karen K. Lathrop - Community Development Field Specialist
Phone: (319) 325-5465
Fax: (319) 627-4923
Email: klathrop@iastate.edu

Brenda Ranum - Regional Extension Education Director
Phone: 563-382-2949
Fax: 563-382-2940
Email: ranum@iastate.edu