State and Regional Five-Year Planning Strategy Project
Norman Walzer and Karen Poncin
Project Abstract
In an effort to build capacity to make more informed local decisions, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (now Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity) in 2000 launched a program in which universities in each of 11 regions of Illinois were asked to coordinate a research and technical assistance program to help local public officials identify regional issues and find solutions. The Institute for Rural Affairs was assigned 19 counties in western and central Illinois.
The project had several phases. First, a set of regional summits was held during 2000 to identify major issues facing the region. Second, repeat regional summits were held in 2001 to prioritize issues and identify strategies that could be adopted to build capacity in the various regions. In 2002, projects were identified to address the issues raised in the first two years and these projects were funded from a variety of agencies. In 2003, the projects continued and additional projects were started to address the issues raised in 2000.
The main projects carried out in the 19 county area involved: a) a regional marketing strategy; b) an underemployment study of the region; c) an on-site training program for elected officials and economic development practitioners; d) an Information Technology planning project; e) a volunteer training and management system; f) a regional health care planning program; g) a regional tourism and economic development program for communities along the Illinois River; and h) an entrepreneurship training program in Spoon River College to help rural community leaders identify business prospects.
Deliverables from Project
The deliverables from this project are of several types. First, annual reports on the project were generated to keep policymakers and residents abreast of the progress made.
Second, materials generated from the project have been used to market the region and otherwise assist in local development practices. These programs now work with community leaders throughout the region to strengthen their management abilities.
The project will begin the fifth year in July 2003.
