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Articles from the Center for Community Vitality's Vital Connections newsletter
Exploring markets for local food
Spring 2013
“Green” and sustainable building construction, social network game development, solar panel manufacturing, pilates and yoga studios–these are a few of the fastest growing industries across the United States in the past decade. Local food growers are working to have their day in the sun, too. And rural leaders are anxious to see how local food production might diversify and strengthen their economy–adding local producers to traditional agriculture, manufacturing, education and health care as economic drivers in Greater Minnesota.
Good data is good retail therapy for Minnesota's communities
Spring 2013
Retail is a mainstay for Minnesota’s economy, accounting for 5.4 percent of the state’s economic output and 282,700 part-time and full-time jobs. That’s an important contribution. But look deeper. The contributions of Minnesota’s shops and retail go beyond economic success. “Minnesota’s communities need a strong retail sector,” says Matt Kane, program leader for Extension’s Community Economics programs. “Successful retail keeps communities vibrant. And the civic contributions of retailers can’t be overlooked. From supporting a local sports team to spearheading community events, retailers keep communities vital. Some also create public spaces where community conversations happen.”
The future (workforce) ain't what it used to be
Spring 2013
Minnesota State Economist Tom Stinson is bullish on Minnesota. "Minnesota has been very successful – especially for a cold weather state at the end of the road," says Stinson, a University of Minnesota Extension economist and a professor of Applied Economics.
But what about the future? "That's unclear," Stinson says. "Recent economic and demographic events have changed the outlook as far as we can see."
Community festivals—Big benefits, but risks, too
Winter 2012
Photo: Explore Minnesota Tourism
Taking Care of (Existing) Business – a Community Approach
Winter 2012
You could travel around the world to attract new jobs to your town, but you're probably better off staying at home.
Does your community need new leaders? Try knocking on some new doors
Fall 2012
More and more, a big task of local leaders is to find the next generation of people willing to lead. This can be a challenge in rural Minnesota when populations are aging and smaller populations must manage a number of local government and non-profit organizations.
Extension, UMD research sparks community action on Duluth food desert
Fall 2012
The last full-service grocery store in Duluth's Lincoln Park neighborhood closed more than 30 years ago, leaving residents stranded in a "food desert."
Photo by Codie Leseman
Helping communities make better economic decisions
Fall 2012
"Jobs, jobs, jobs." It's a common refrain at political rallies, and some variation is often heard at community meetings. But a community's economic well-being is more complex than that.
Digging into the dynamics of Greater Minnesota's economy
Spring 2012
Everybody seems to love lists. But are they useful? The authors of a recent study by the University of Minnesota Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) believe theirs is.
Creating connections for better communities
Spring 2012
In the 1950's, most rural Minnesota communities could afford to go it alone. But in the 2010's, rural economies are growing more diverse, more regional and more global. So community leaders understand that they must look beyond their geographic boundaries as they think about the future.
Update: Newcomers mean brain gain for rural Minnesota
Spring 2012, Updated
Winter 2010
It's time to bust some myths. Contrary to popular perception, small towns in Minnesota are not losing people of all ages, nor are all small towns dying. In many cases people moving into rural communities offset, or surpass the numbers of those moving away. Ben Winchester, research fellow with the Extension Center for Community Vitality, calls this trend "the brain gain of the newcomers."
Read the report (1.47 MB PDF)
Read more about the trend and media coverage
Why should visitors love your town? Count the ways
Winter 2011
"What do you do for fun around here?" When visitors come to your town, replies to this question can make or break their impression of your community.
Start seeing visitors
Winter 2011
Think you don't live in a tourist town? Think again. Every town has visitors–people spending holidays with relatives; people who come through town on business; guests at weddings or funerals; relatives coming for a family reunion.
Get the whole town involved with tourism
Winter 2011
When visitors recall a memorable trip or vacation, they talk about three things: What they saw; what they did; and the people they met. But not just the staff at the resort or the canoe-rental place. Community members, too.
Urban vs. rural? More like urban and rural together, study says
Summer 2011
What would happen to the state's economy if rural Minnesota went away? Would the Twin Cities area notice? You bet it would, according to a new paradigm-shifting study that shows just how intertwined the economies of rural and urban Minnesota are.
Five insights on the Internet and rural Minnesota
Summer 2011
Some rural Minnesota businesses have embraced the Internet enthusiastically, while others are waking up to the possibilities. There's more to this, of course, and the Extension Center for Community Vitality has gained some valuable insights through its participation in the Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) initiative.
2010 census release continues — with changes
Winter 2010
The U.S. Census Bureau has begun releasing 2010 census data, and the process will continue through the rest of the year and beyond. During the wait, community decision-makers can get ready by shaping questions and discussions that might be affected by the census, as well as by informing themselves about changes that will affect available data.
Data-informed decision making helps communities thrive
Winter 2010
Census data collected in 2010 have begun to trickle into public decision making. And that's a good thing. Why? Because reliable data, interpreted properly, can help communities thrive.
Is your community ready for a big idea?
Winter 2010
Why are some communities more able to plan and make changes than others? Why do some get stuck, while others have a "spark" that leads to highly successful initiatives? Extension researchers Scott Chazdon and Stephanie Lott set out to learn what constitutes "community readiness" and why it's so important.
