Louisa Development Group Column

Angie Sanders, Executive Director

Week of March 3, 2008

WIIFM? What’s in it for me? Membership organizations, like Louisa Development Group (LDG), often have to answer this question. With our membership drive not quite a distant memory yet, I decided to take stock and detail a few things we have been working on.

Recently we worked with Louisa County Historical Society on an Iowa Community Cultural grant for museum staff on weekends in the peak season. This project would complement the already seasonally staffed Toolesboro Mounds & Museum, enhancing our local vitality in the historical tourism business.

We directed the City of Wapello to two different grants for their fishing pier. One is a Department of Natural Resources grant. The other is a Hamburger Helper grant, of which the Wapello Volunteer Fire & Rescue also has a request in. This is a somewhat interactive grant process -- you can write in your support online at www.myhometownhelper.com.

LDG recently worked with several community members, business owners and the Columbus Junction Community Development Center to enter a bid for a tourism package through Explore Iowa (an Iowa Bankers Association project). If one of our packages is selected, then we will join 30 other Iowa packages that are offered to bank clubs. This would increase the tourist visibility for Louisa County, naturally.

We’ve also started working with various cities, towns and businesses on “Second Story” grants for rehabilitating buildings for apartments and other housing programs. For several months now, LDG has been approached by individuals and businesses that see a need in the county for more affordable and suitable rental housing. After researching options, grants and talking to many regional and state folks, LDG is now equipped to work on these projects – mainly as a resource collector and connector for developers, builders, organizations, cities and building owners.

Although the verdicts are not in for the above grants and programs yet, LDG is happy to have initiated most of the above, and supported all of them in some way. All of these organizations and people should be proud that they are taking the steps to build capacity, build financial and social wealth and build a positive community and economic development climate within our county.

Grants aren’t the answer to everything, but these organizations couldn’t apply for these grants if they weren’t thinking about the future of this community. That is exciting and will prove to be rewarding. Even if we don’t get all the projects and grants mentioned above that have been applied for, the process of researching, working together, searching for solutions and a better vision of our community is just as important. Let’s keep that momentum going strong!

Although grants are virtually non-existent for starting a business, some do exist for other programs. If you are interested in pursuing a grant for a program, or just want assistance in developing a project for your community, contact LDG at ldg@louisacomm.net and we might be able to work with you. All you have to do is ask. That’s what the above businesses, organizations and cities did – as members of LDG, they asked for our guidance and assistance. Just one of the perks of being part of a membership organization in Louisa County!

And don’t forget to come to our third session in our speaker series, “Customer Service Solutions,” presented by Lori Denney of Burlington, IA. It will be on Wednesday, March 12 at 7pm at the Letts City Hall/Community Center. Free for LDG members and $5 for non-members.