Community Economic Development

Local Highlights

February 23, 2013

The annual Midstates Community and Economic Development Conference brings together community and business leaders, volunteers, professional developers, and elected officials from the three-state area to share their experiences and learn new ideas for community and rural development.

The Midstates Conference will be held Thursday, April 4 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Marina Inn, 4th and B Streets, South Sioux City, Neb.

February 27, 2013

A growing interest in alternative energy sources, sparked by soaring oil prices and the development of large wind farms in northwest Iowa, has raised many questions about wind and solar energy.  Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach in Woodbury and Plymouth Counties, along with other partner organizations, addressed these issues at the 2013 Wind and Solar Energy Conference that was held on  Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Sioux City Convention Center.  170 people attended the conference.  Below are some of the materials shared at the conference.

January 18, 2013

Many farmers appear to believe that farmland is overvalued and eventually the market bubble will burst, according to the 2012 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.

January 18, 2013

Ag Decision Maker, one of the most visited Iowa State University Extension and Outreach websites, has a new look. The decision-oriented agricultural business website now showcases new and emerging issues within farm management.

November 2, 2012

The Local Food and Farm Program is looking for a few good ideas that will help put more Iowa-grown products on dinner plates and more money in the pockets of Iowa farmers. Iowa nonprofit organizations, farm groups and educational institutions are encoruaged to submit proposals for potential funding.

Statewide Resources

  • ISU Extension assists Iowa communities in planning and encouraging sustainable community and economic development that lead to positive quality of life for all citizens.

  • Program Builder is a tool where community leaders can review and make selections from a variety of technical assistance, consulting and educational programs that will improve the quality of life in your community.

  • RECAP provides data and research on local economic, demographic, and social trends for business and communities.

  • Reports of recent and historical trends in the local retail trade sector by city.

  • Nonprofit Management Academies enhance the management skills of those serving nonprofit sector.

  • Helping the College of Engineering and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach carry out their land-grant university mission to improve the quality of life in Iowa by enhancing the performance of Iowa industry.

  • The CVC facilitates networking among small and medium size rural communities, sponsors policy analyses, engages communities in dialogue, and fosters discussion among rural and urban interests.

  • Data on each county in Iowa including population demographics, education, retail sales, personal income, employment, occupation, housing, and family characteristics.

  • See all the resources ISU Extension offers for to help you manage your farm business.

  • Provides opportunities for youth to develop skills they can use now and throughout their life, empowering them to reach their full potential working and learning in partnership with caring adults.

  • Specialists have compiled a list of resources to help you prepare for and recover from natural disasters. Remember to take care of yourself and your family first; then deal with the things lost to the disaster.

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