A case study presentation on the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs and its role in fostering rural development. Presented by Dr. Norman Walzer and Dr. Chris Merrett to the PASCAL 2012 Conference on University Outreach and Engagement in Brest, France.

1. ILLINOIS INSTITUTE FOR RURAL AFFAIRS
CATALYST FOR RURAL COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Norman Walzer* and
Founding Director Emeritus
Chris Merrett
Director
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455
Presentation to
PASCAL 2012 Conference on University Outreach and Engagement
Brest, France
*Dr. Walzer is Senior Research Scholar in the Center for Governmental Studies, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL

2. Presentation Overview
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Background and Purposes of IIRA
Mission, Vision, and Goals
Management and Measurement Structure
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Inputs, Activities, Outputs, Outcomes, Impacts
Organizational Structure and Programs
Accomplishments and Results
Lessons Learned

3. Task Force on the Future of Rural Illinois
(1986)
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Issues Raised
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Loss of Rural Youth
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High Unemployment
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Poor Rural Economic Conditions
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Small City Population and Employment Declines
Confusing Access to State Programs
Responses
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Governors Rural Affairs Council
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Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (Western IL University)
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Center for Value‐Added Agriculture (Univ IL Urbana‐Champaign)
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Center for Health Policy (Southern IL University)

4. Overview of the IIRA
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IIRA founded in 1989 at WIU
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Executive Order Identified IIRA As The “The State’s Academic
Clearinghouse For Rural Development Data And Initiatives.”
Provide Research And Technical Assistance To The Governor’s
Rural Affairs Council (GRAC).
Resources.
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Started With $250K (USD) In Appropriated Budget + Grant
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Currently 40 FTE Including Faculty And Outreach Staff
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Annual Budget of Approximately $4.0M USD
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60% Of Budget Raised Externally (Federal and State Agencies)

5. Motivations for the IIRA
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Integrated Approach to Rural Issues
Enhanced Understanding of Rural Needs
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Rural is not Only Agriculture (next slide)
Importance of Links With Metro Areas
Expanded Local Decision‐making Capacity
Greater Rural Strength and Independence
Statewide Resource on Rural Issues
Rural Policy Analyses and Development Support
Clearinghouse Function Outside of State Agencies

6. Need Diverse CED Strategies
Rural ≠ Agriculture
Farm households derive
only 17% of their income
from farms.

7. IIRA Mission and Vision
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Mission
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To Improve the Quality of Life in Rural Illinois Through Research, Policy
Analysis, and Education by Partnering With Public and Private
Agencies in Local Development and Enhancement Activities.
Vision
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…To Be Nationally Recognized For Using An Integrated Delivery System
to Provide Knowledge, Information, and Innovative Strategies in
Helping Rural Residents Improve Policy Decisions, Overcome Rural
Disparities, and Achieve a High Quality of Life by Maintaining the Long‐
term Viability of Communities.

8. IIRA Goals
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Promote Sound Statewide Rural Policy.
Advance State of Knowledge About Rural.
Provide High Quality Training and Technical
Assistance to Support Effective Local Decisions.
Use Continuous Improvement Techniques to Achieve
Effective and Efficient Operations.

9. Core Values
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Community Development is More than Job Creation.
Successful Solutions Come From Local Initiatives.
Rural Issues Are Broader than Agriculture.
Long‐term Solutions Must Be Sustainable.
Rural Communities Do Not Exist in Isolation.
Successful Community Development Enriches Lives
of All Residents.

10. Policy Formation & Implementation
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Work with GRAC on Policy Issues
Participate in Rural Partners’ Activities
Assist State Agencies with Rural Topics
Serve as Rural Clearinghouse
Publish Annual Report on Status of Rural With Policy
Recommendations
Host Statewide Rural Development Conference

11. Issues Addressed by IIRA
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Policy Support (GRAC & State Agencies)
Local Community & Economic Development
Business Development
Sustainable Value‐Added Agriculture
Community Health Care
Public Transit
Public Agency Management Support
Information Technology
Housing
Public Education

12. Faculty Responsibilities
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Conduct Research: Teach in Outreach And Training
Programs
Intelligence Squared – Business Consulting Services
Midwest Community Development Institute
Disciplines represented:
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Economics
Marketing
Public Administration
Geography and Planning
Rural Sociology

13. IIRA Programs Linked to Strategies
Provost
Director
Management Team
MAPPING
Sustainable
Health &
Rural
DATA
Development
Housing
Transit
Center
(1) Strategic Visioning
 Where are we now?
 Where do we want to be?
 How do we get there?
 How to Keep Momentum?
Goal:
Prioritize CED objectives
through a grassroots
consensus‐based process.
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SBDC
(2) Technical Assistance
 Business Plans
 Business Retention & Expansion
 Data Collection / Analysis
 Economic Impact Analysis
 Feasibility Studies
 Fiscal Impact Analysis
 GIS Mapping
 Labor Market Analysis
 Marketing Surveys
 Renewable Energy
 Retail Trade Analysis
 Sustainable Development
PTAC
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Peace Corps
Fellows
Faculty
(3) Implementation
 Peace Corps Fellows
 IIRA Follow‐up
 Midwest CDI
 AmeriCorps VISTA
 Volunteer Training
 Statewide Conference
 Regional Workshops
 Online materials
Goal:
Improve the quality of life
for the residents of rural
Illinois.

14. LOGIC Model*
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Inputs
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Activities
Outputs
Outcomes
Impacts
*Patterned after W. K. Kellogg Foundation Model

15. Aggregate IIRA Metrics
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Professional Articles
Technical Reports
Community Consultations
Phone Responses, Referrals, Web Hits
Seminars/Conferences/Newsletters
Participants Trained on Rural Issues

16. Example of IIRA Success (Impact)
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Hoopeston, Illinois Housing Project.
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Several IIRA programs collaborated with state agencies and a private sector real
estate developer to spur the development of a 25‐home subdivision. Thirteen 2‐
3 bedroom homes have been completed as of November 30, 2010. The
remaining 12 homes will be completed by the spring of 2011. This $4.6 million
development was initiated by Shannon Ruh, a Peace Corps Fellow from WIU. She
later became the full‐time economic development director for Hoopeston.
Working with an IIRA‐sponsored VISTA volunteer from Hoopeston, the PCF
collaborated with the IIRA Health and Housing program (with USDA‐RCDI funds)
and the MAPPING program to identify housing needs in the community. With a
plan in place, the town of Hoopeston worked with the Illinois Community Action
Development Corporation, IHDA and a private sector builder to plan and build
the subdivision. In addition to the $4.6 million economic impact, this project
resulted in 20 new jobs in Hoopeston along with the prospect of having 25 new
homes in the community.
Source: Hicks, Carol. 2010. Hoopeston Subdivision Open for Families. Danville Commercial‐News.
November 30. Online: http://commercial‐news.com/local/x713538933/Hoopeston‐subdivision‐
open‐for‐families.

18. COMMUNITIES & COUNTIES
SERVED BY THE IIRA

19. Lessons Learned
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Clear Statement of Mission, Vision, & Goals Integrated into
University Missions
Strong Credibility in University and State Government with Both
Parties
Recognize Importance of Strategic Planning and Use Evidence‐
Based Approaches
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Collaboration with Universities and Other Groups
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Integration With IIRA Agencies and Market As A Unit
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Focus on Programs, Rather Than Projects
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Track Effectiveness in Operations and Market Success
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Regular Communications (Social Media, etc.)
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Celebrate Successes

20. For Additional Information
Background and Historical Issues
Current Operations
Norman Walzer
Chris Merrett
Senior Research Scholar
Director
Center for Governmental Studies
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs
Northern Illinois University
Western Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
Macomb, IL 61455
nwalzer@niu.edu
CD‐Merrett@WIU.edu
SKYPE: normanwalzer1943