2008 Annual Report Executive Summary

Clare County Enterprise Community

As in the past several years we have chosen to present this report in a quarterly format.
January-March:
After taking care of the usual business of the Annual and Organizational meetings, electing directors and executive committee and establishing meeting schedules for the year, it was time to get on with the tasks of the final year of implementation.

The Clare County Enterprise Community (CCEC) Board was ready to roll out the PR project which had been under development for the previous eighteen months. The first opportunity came when CCEC was invited to give a presentation to the Professional Women’s Association of Harrison. They knew that CCEC’s designation was due to expire December 31, 2008 and were interested in knowing how the community development initiatives of the past eight years might carry on. They learned that CCEC had plans of becoming a non-profit corporation and possibly establishing an endowed fund with the Clare County Community Foundation. The presenters quickly picked up on the fact that besides the story board and talking points, a take home piece for the audience was necessary. The plan had been to use the business cards of the presenters, which worked, but something more was needed. The PR workgroup was reconvened and a brochure was developed that has proved to be the perfect companion piece to the presentation. A schedule was established so the PR project could be shared with all of the appropriate local units of government.

Plans to host a Group WorkCamp during the summer of 2009 have been in the making since 2007, with the hopes of rehabilitating at least 60 homes. The Group WorkCamp Foundation was familiar with the needs of Clare County, and, with the history of two previously successful projects rehabilitating over 100 homes, offered the opportunity to operate a Challenge WorkCamp. This would allow for more in-depth repairs and larger projects such as roofs, porches and ramps. It was decided to take advantage of this opportunity knowing it would require additional funds and volunteers.

CCEC learned that grant funding for year 10 would be reduced significantly. The initial promise of $250,000 became $123,152, a reduction of over 50%. Obviously the strategic plan had to be revisited and the plan of work adjusted.

Utilizing established partnerships, grant applications were completed and submitted to fund a business incubator study and fund a revolving loan fund for small business. It was decided to partner with Council on Aging to investigate the potential of Clare County becoming an Elder Friendly Community.

Also during this quarter, a workgroup was established to champion the transition to a 501 c (3) non-profit corporation.

April-June:
After many years of planning and saving, Mid Michigan Community Action Agency dedicated their new building located in a CCEC Developable Site. This project came about with significant financial help from USDA RD and the support of CCEC.
Several members of the Clare County Small Business Initiative Council attended the Michigan Rural Partners Conference which was focused on energizing entrepreneurs. Transfer of wealth, leveraging networks and appreciative inquiry were topics covered in great depth.

The process of becoming a 501 c (3) corporation continues. The transition workgroup along with the CCEC Board of Directors worked on such issues as bylaws, which would allow for the borrowing of money, and the ownership of property and the filing of IRS forms SS 4 and 8821. It was during this quarter that we learned of the possibility of qualifying for a one year extension of our Enterprise Community designation. We kept in close contact with our USDA RD liaison to learn what the extension process would be. We learned on June 13th what the process would be and that the next 30 days would be very busy. A plan of work was established and an extension application was submitted. It was also learned that USDA RD national office would offer a Webinar July 1st to assist with the process, and several local officials participated.

The Harrison Area Economic Development Corporation approached our board with a proposal to partner with them to sponsor an entrepreneurial initiative entitled “Bucks for Business.” The CCEC board agreed to partner and will expand on this in a later quarter.

It was learned that two partner agencies received substantial USDA RD grants to assist with job creation. The first grant ($99,500) went to the Clare County Housing Commission who hosts our local revolving loan fund for small businesses. The second went to Middle Michigan Development Corporation to conduct a business incubator in conjunction with an ongoing brownfield redevelopment project.

July-September:
As CCEC thinks about its sustainability as a non-profit corporation, several types of revenue streams must be investigated. The first of those is an endowed fund with the Clare County Community Foundation. Foundation staff was invited to provide an overview of how to establish such a fund and the advantages of such a fund to both CCEC and those supporting the fund. We learned that significant advantages are available to donors. It was also learned that such a fund could be started with a $5,000 contribution. The necessary changes were made to the bylaws and it was learned July 14th that CCEC was recognized by the State of Michigan as a non-government non-profit corporation. This meant phase I was complete and it was time to tackle IRS approval as a 501 c (3).

The PR workgroup announced that they would provide a display and brochures for the Clare County Fair. Generally 10,000 patrons can be expected, resulting in great exposure. In partnership with several local governments and service agencies, CCEC participated in Asset Based Community Development training. The expected result of this training is that a workgroup will emerge that will be able to review and possibly address the remaining benchmarks that will not be completed by the end of our designation.

One of the most gratifying events of the quarter was the reestablishment of the Clare County Arts Council. They have a membership of 45 citizens, are meeting on a regular basis, and are planning arts and cultural activities.

October-December:
Community Connection, designed to assist the homeless and near homeless with basic needs, was planned and executed during October and November. Agency and community response was great. Over 500 families were served by the Red Cross Food Distribution Truck. They received winter coats, haircuts, personal grooming supplies and laundry detergent.

Several CCEC board members and staff, as well as USDA RD staff participated in a Webinar broadcast by the national office. This session was designed to assist with the transition to life after designation for Enterprise Communities.

The “Bucks for Business” initiative mentioned earlier in this report selected a winner from a field of seven applicants. The successful applicant has a business plan to develop a teen center providing a supervised, safe, drug free environment for our local students to spend their leisure hours. They will also offer birthday parties and other youth oriented activities.

The Arts Council sponsored an art show and sale with 20% of the proceeds going to the support of the Council.

Several USDA RD loan/grant checks totaling nearly $500,000 were delivered to Clare County. Mid Michigan Community Action Agency received funding for a food storage warehouse, preschool playground equipment, and basic home repair. Lincoln Township received funding for an emergency generator for the township hall which serves as community center and senior meal site.

The PR workgroup presented a proposal to the board requesting permission and funding to develop a web site, both of which were granted.

CCEC was pleased to be invited by Central Michigan University Public Television to participate in a broadcast on with the topic of Rural Economic Development entitled, “Ask the Expert.” CMU broadcasts to all of central and northern Michigan as well as eastern Ontario. This was a wonderful opportunity and a great way to end the year.

Most Significant Accomplishment Decent, Affordable, Safe, Housing Directories-CCEC through its housing advocacy initiative compiled the data and created a housing services directory to be used by service providers and referring organizations/agencies such as schools and churches. Five hundred copies were printed and nearly all have been distributed as of this writing.

Clare County Leadership Institute-Clare County Leadership Institute is proud to report that many of its graduates have accepted volunteer leadership posts within the community, and is particularly pleased to report that two graduates ran for county-wide elected positions during this past election cycle. Both candidates ran excellent campaigns with one being elected as county clerk. The other candidate lost by a small margin but has accepted the position of Executive Director of Clare County Enterprise Community beginning March 1, 2009.

Foreclosure Prevention-The CCEC Housing Advocate created an award winning foreclosure prevention curriculum that assisted many families regionally deal with the issue of foreclosure.

Problems/Obstacles and Solutions
The major obstacle we continue to face is the lack of wide-band high-speed internet connectivity. We developed a benchmark and participated in a very comprehensive regional study to address this issue. The root of the problem is that we are a rural community. In order to solve our problem we need a provider who is willing to expand their foot print to include our area. We have had several discussions with USDA RUS, but without a provider we have no way of accessing available funding.

We are developing a strategy for 2009 which will look at the problem from a much smaller lens. Rather than try to solve the problem on a county-wide basis, we are planning to start in a small geographic area with our greatest population density.

 

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