# Presentation: 515539

## PRIVATE PARTNERS andRURAL PARTNERS (IL)

- IRDC and the Illinois Private/Public Partnership for Rural Community Development
- 501 © (3) – Apolitical (neutral) Forum
- Inclusive membership – benefits to all
- 35 member board –local, state, federal govt. and private for and not-for profits
- Staff of two and Work Plan w/13 initiatives

## HOW WE FUNCTION

- ED works as a facilitator and administrator
- All initiatives MUST have a member/champion before we approve it.
- Committees and Task Forces do the work of partnership (carry out initiatives)
- Work to assure that initiatives have both private and public involvement

## BENEFITS OF INVOLVEMENT

- Work hard to assure that private and public members see benefit of engagement.
- Assure the private members know we value their participation
- Private perspective taken into account on all issues.
- Speak to private side of the economics of our initiatives – both private and public benefits

## PRIVATE ENGAGEMENTDIRECT INTEREST

- Telecommunications Assessment Project
- Six county telecom assessment project conducted by ViTAL Economy & RP – Economic Development through Connectivity.
- Financed by Verizon, Ameren, Fairpoint, Consolidated, Gov. Rural Affairs Council, Bank of America, and Franklin Hospital.
- Mandates Telco collaboration as well as regional collaboration

## WHY FUND THIS INITIATIVE?

- Most advanced technology take rates are single digits
- Collaboration increases coverage and decreases investment
- Data shows successful communities spend 6% of revenue on telecom – most rural communities spend 1 1⁄2 % - potentially add 4 1⁄2 %
- Economic growth grows the pie instead of more competition for the pieces.
- Input and participation in addition to finances

## PRIVATE ENGAGEMENTINDIRECT

- Understand collaborative support works both ways
- Present initiative from an economic perspective rather than a “do good” perspective
- Community development precedes economic development
- Investment in future of rural communities

## EXAMPLE

- Rural Partners’ Entrepreneurship Training
- Partnered with Illinois Institute for Entrepreneurship Education to teach rural teachers a curriculum to be implemented in rural schools
- Financed through RP by Verizon Foundation - $25,000
- First class held with 14 participants – each received a stipend of $200 and another $200 when implemented.
- Second class being recruited now.

## EXAMPLE 2

- Ed Conference, Leadership Conference, Telecommunications Conference
- Private funding from private – understanding that ED growth promotes more business.
- Name recognition as an active player
- Role in program development and in conferences of private players.

## REPUTATION

- Stress – Walk the Talk
- Understanding that not everyone will be happy with position taken
- Organization is neutral forum within which perspectives are shared and discussed.
- Respect and Trust are fostered

## OUT OF BOX THINKING

- Speak to private side in their language
- Encourage others to do the same
- Use data to show investment into good markets
- Use business models – show market development – get communities to do the same.

## OUT OF BOX – BOTH WAYS

- Health organizations want business people on boards. Recruit as a community service.
- Illinois data shows for Critical Access Hospitals:
- Every dollar spent generates another $.39
- Every FTE generates another .46 FTE
- Health is a major economic driver
- Coles Together Experience – Coles Co. ED Organization.
- Asked by hospital to send letter of support.
- Results - 15% of all jobs in county
- Results - 100 letters of support

## SUMMARY

- Engagement is a two way street
- Participation is more than money – private input fosters ownership and commitment
- Private side want to share ideas
- Private side welcomes partners – share resources
- Trust must be developed that all perspectives will be weighed before a position is taken
- Promote win/win wherever possible.