2005 Oct17 PopeCounty Communities working together

Communities Working Together:Rural Co-opetition in Minnesota: 

Communities Working Together: Rural Co-opetition in Minnesota By Benjamin Winchester Coordinator, Data Analysis & Research October 18, 2005 www.centerforsmalltowns.org

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What is rural? Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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What is Rural anyway? 1900 – U.S. 34% of people live in cities 2000 – U.S. 80% of people live in cities Rural life appears to be dying and this notion is reinforced through writings, movies, and policies Census Bureau definitions do not explain the rich context of rural life today Understandings of Rural are antiquated

Historical Patterns of Rurality: 

Historical Patterns of Rurality

The First Minnesota: 

The First Minnesota Pre-1900 to 1930 Defined by railroad transportation networks and the rise of central places and The rural areas are defined not by something they are, but by something they are not - dichotomous

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Railroads dropping off the town

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Rural = Agriculture

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Small Towns = Places to bring agriculture-related products for system-wide distribution

The Second Minnesota: 

The Second Minnesota 1930 – 1970 Marked by automobile transportation, industrialization, and education Defined in academic terms as a continuum Attempts to shift your location “up” along this line Rural understanding is still built upon an urban base

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1905 – 77,988 automobiles were registered 1925 – 17,000,000 automobiles were registered

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Changes in distribution systems and connections

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Model A Model T

A little bit country…: 

A little bit country… This period gives rise to the notion of rural growth and development and attainment of urban status (fully functioning service centers) for even remote cities Organizations “do” rural development Institutions such as the state and federal government create a structure to reinforce these notions

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Goods and services for all

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Building are occupied

Rise of the Professionals: 

Rise of the Professionals Rural Electrification Act of 1936 within USDA Post-WWII GI Bill of 1944 Attempts made to classify and study Professionals filled organizational positions – each with their own understandings of rural Rural Development Industry arises Growth (or movement up the continuum) is a driving value Urban Ideal

The Third Minnesota: 

The Third Minnesota 1970 – present (Post) Modern view of Rural Rural areas are no longer understood as something concrete, but defined by the symbolic definitions of the population and professionals The “Decline of Rural Minnesota” comes to an end

Rural Rebound: 

Rural Rebound The Urban Ideal ends Record numbers of people move into nonmetropolitan areas in the 1970’s and 1990’s Also known as Rural Renaissance, Rural Revival, and Booming Boondocks

The Rebirth of Rural: 

The Rebirth of Rural A rejection of the Urban Ideal? (crime, congestion, homelessness) The Rural Ideal, based on the Rural Idyll, is formed The “rural idyll” – involves nostalgic, romantic, pastoral notions Journal of Rural Studies – U.K. Repositories of essentially American values The doughnut effect on metropolitan areas

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Source: Johnson, Kenneth and Calvin Beale, 1999.

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Source: US Census Bureau

Population Change 1990-2000: 

Population Change 1990-2000

Age Distribution: 

Age Distribution

Rural Traits: 

Rural Traits The 1990’s saw a rural population rebound; which totally reversed the outmigration of the 1980’s. 70% of rural counties grew in population from 1990 to 1999. But, this growth is largely concentrated in only 40% of rural counties. 7/8 of these growing counties derived some or all of their increase from in-migration of metro residents. 61% of rural counties experienced net in-migration between 1990 and 1999. In fact, between 1990 and 1999, 2.2 million more Americans moved from the city to the country, than the reverse.

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Lakes

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Fishing

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Amish life Barn Raising

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ATVs or Skiing

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There are 50 Paul Bunyan statues in the U.S.

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Social gatherings and tight-knit relationships

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Hunting

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Mississippi Headwaters

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Farming and agriculture

Beliefs about Rural Life: 

Beliefs about Rural Life Rural life represents traditional American values, but is behind the times. Rural life is more relaxed and slower than city life, but harder and more grueling. Rural life is friendly, but intolerant of outsiders and difference. Rural life is richer in community life, but epitomized by individuals struggling independently to make ends meet. W.K. Kellogg

Rural Economy: 

Rural Economy

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6.3% of rural Americans live on farms. Farming accounts for 7.6% of rural employment. 0.39% of the US population is engaged in farming as a primary occupation. 1.8% of the US rural population is engaged in farming as a primary occupation. Dominant rural industries have shifted from agriculture, to manufacturing, to services. Underemployment is an issue Rural – not just for Agriculture anymore

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Technology has changed our choices in residential location. Today we can have: a bank in our homes an office in our homes a newspaper in our homes a bookstore in our homes a brokerage firm in our homes a factory in our homes an investment firm in our homes a school in our homes QUALITY OF LIFE NOW MATTERS The New Ruralism

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1990-2000 National Population Gains Retirement Recreation National Population Losses Extractive Industries Manufacturing Agriculture

Scale of New Ruralism: 

Scale of New Ruralism Can be applied to a larger scale beyond a neighborhood Planning must give way to natural evolution – Urban Ecology of Chicago School WORK HOME PLAY 15-60mins 2 HOURS SHOP 15-45mins

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Each of these areas require individualized planning Because of the these triangulations, city services vary – build it and they still won’t come OR don’t build it and they will still come Example: rural metropolitan – use some services from neighbors, such as library You must understand your rural “customers” – existing residents, visitors, and newcomers. The Three Rural’s in Minnesota

Population, in miles from MAHS: 

Population, in miles from MAHS 5 4,322 15 13,841 30 79,487 45 170,871 60 404,294 Source: 2000 U.S. Census

Future of Rural: 

Future of Rural Now undergoing a reconfiguration of rural institutions: Businesses Schools Governments Non-profits Each place needs to determine its location in the triangulation of the New Ruralism.

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Source: US Department of Energy

Changing Rural Landscape: 

Changing Rural Landscape Change is constant The “New Minnesotans” The New Economy – Ethanol, energy production, local foods, “outsourcing”, health care, the entrepreneurship unknown Make some assumptions Be systematic and thorough

Center for the Study of Rural America: 

Center for the Study of Rural America Consolidation Rural development is no longer about communities, but about regions Entrepreneurship is the best economic strategy Commodity markets are risky due to globalization Today, community banks are debt lenders when the should be capital coaches.

Co-opetition: 

Co-opetition Collaborative dynamic of networks, partnerships, and joint ventures is a main organizing principle in the New Economy. Social capital (networks, shared norms, and trust), as fostered in collaboration and alliances, may be as important as physical capital (plant, equipment, and technology), and human capital (intellect, character, education, and training) in driving innovation and growth. Peter Drucker (Economist), Book “Co-opetition” by Brandenburger and Nalebuff.

Conclusions: 

Conclusions It’s the lake and the school – think regionally The economic solutions are not necessarily before your eyes – get out Don’t confuse cynicism with sophistication – work together to discuss (and disagree) Don’t blame each other for changes that are happening across rural America We know more and more about which we have less and less control Talk positively to your kids You are LUCKY to be in the situation you are in