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Out with the Old

By: Dr. Jesse O. Bolinger

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is one of many programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service.  Unlike other National Service programs, VISTA members are unique in that they only serve in communities with poverty issues and only engage in capacity building activities.  Capacity building activities are those that create programs and make positive changes within a community.

There are several requirements set by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer service as well as my host agency, the Decatur County Development Corporation.  One of these requirements is a disability inclusion project that I have completed, in part, through the creation of a YouTube video regarding volunteerism and individuals with disabilities.  The YouTube video can be found here.

To aid in inclusion of people with disabilities I am working to redesign the Decatur County Development Corporation website. The new site will also allow for Decatur County Development Corporation staff to have more control and flexibility over future updates and content development.   Many of the projects I am engaged in have elements that have some sort of technological connection a website redesign reflects outcomes and addresses needs that were established from other projects that include the high school internship program and the identified need for an online resource directory in Decatur County.

As I work to develop the various elements of the new site, I have taken steps to ensure that individuals with various disabilities can access the site.  These elements include an accessible WordPress theme as well as a plugin that will allow a user to change elements such as font size, contrast and much more.  Before the site is released to the public it will be tested in various ways including a check to ensure that the site can be navigated with a screen reader and without the use of a mouse.  The new site will also include alternative text for all images and transcripts for all audio and video elements.  If you are interested in volunteering to assist with site testing, please contact me.

I am excited to report that the new site will allow for online courses.  The first planned course focuses on financial and resource scarcity.  This course is planned to take less than two hours to complete and will provide insights in understanding how to work through a situation of financial or resource scarcity.  The course includes several assignments that can be completed to better understand this issue, the impact to the individual, families and the community. The course will present possible solutions to address low income impacts in Decatur County.  It is my hope and a goal of the project that this course will increase conversation that will lead to the creation of new programs and services that produce change and opportunities for Decatur county residents who are at risk or currently live in at or below the federal poverty level.

Over the remainder of my term of service as a VISTA, I encourage anyone who has questions, comments or ideas about how to improve the quality of life in Decatur County to contact me.  I enjoy having conversations with individual who wish to share their own personal experience and am always willing to visit with any individual or group. Please feel free to contact me by phone at (641)455-2896 or by e-mail at jbolinger@dcdciowa.org.

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Technology

By: Dr. Jesse O. Bolinger

I did not know it at the time but when my parents brought home our first Apple Computer when I was three that it would turn out to be a real blessing for me.  At the time, I was unaware of the role technology would play in my life. Like most kids, I just liked getting to play games on the computer.   During High School, I served on the Iowa 4-H Youth Technology Team and was introduced to advanced programming and enjoyed the opportunity to talk with other young people who had the same interests I did. Problem solving and trouble shooting on computer and networking problems was probably my first real introduction into being of service to others.  I had a skill and they had a problem that needed to be solved. That is why VISTA makes so much sense to me.

AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service to America) is one of many programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service.  Unlike other National Service programs, VISTA members are unique in that they only serve in communities with poverty issues and only engage in capacity building activities.  Capacity building activities are those that create programs and make positive changes within a community.

As a VISTA, I am required to complete whatever projects for my host agency, in my case this is the Decatur County Development Corporation. Additionally, I must meet guidelines set by The Corporation for National and Community Service which is the federal agency that has oversight of AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and other programs. I get to tap into my technology roots through three projects that will assist Decatur County Development in reaching people who live or are interested in Decatur County.

Talk about capacity building! I spent years helping my parents do farm and real estate programs and taught both how to navigate everything from the internet to email.

It feels good to tap into my technology skills again and I am looking forward to seeking ideas and sharing updates with readers. I want to update you on three projects VISTA is working on for our community.

The first project is working on a complete redesign of the Decatur County Development Corporation website.  This design should be completed early in 2018 and is anticipated to include many features that allow for easy, navigation by individuals with a variety of special needs.  The update will showcase Decatur County to businesses and individuals who want to know more about us, while making the website easier to navigate.

The second project that will be rolled out is an online directory of various resources available in or to Decatur County residence.  The resource directory will be available on the Decatur County Development Corporation website and as a mobile application.  If all goes as planned the app will be available for both iPhone and Android and should be available early in 2018!

The third project I want Decatur County residents to know about, is the development of an online course entitled Financial and Resource Scarcity and You. This will be available on the Decatur County Development Corporation website early in 2018.  The course deals directly with causes and solutions for financial and resource scarcity. I am looking forward to sharing details on the course. Watch for more details in this column.

Over the remainder of my term of service as a VISTA, I encourage anyone who has questions, comments or ideas about how to improve the quality of life in Decatur County to contact me.  I enjoy having conversations with individual who wish to share their own personal experience and am always willing to visit with any individual or group. Please feel free to contact me by phone at (641)455-2896 or by e-mail at jbolinger@dcdciowa.org.

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DCDC Hosts First Annual Meeting

The Decatur County Development Corporation hosted its first Annual Meeting and Fundraising Gala on Friday, April 20, 2018. With over 70 guests in attendance, the group celebrated Economic Development and business successes from 2017 and 2018, and looked forward to upcoming projects to bring new business to the county and expand existing businesses. Deb Brown, the founder of Building Possibility and co-founder of SaveYour.Town provided the keynote addresses to highlight opportunities in Decatur County to implement innovative and creative business solutions. Executive Director, Shannon Erb thanked volunteers and honored Freedom Racing Tool and Auto as the DCDC Business of the Year for 2017. Former Congressman Leonard Boswell was also recognized as the first recipient of the Decatur County Development Corporation Distinguished Service Award, which was presented earlier this year. Erb also recognized board members who have served DCDC for 5 and 10 years, including:

  • Jim Fulton – 5 years
  • Ron Gibson – 5 years
  • Robert Omer – 5 years
  • Shane Akers – 6 years
  • John Henderson – 6 years
  • JR Cornett – 6 years
  • Leon Kessel – 6 years
  • Larry McAlpin – 6 years
  • Lynn Milnes (Deceased) – 6 years
  • Michael Jordison – 7 years
  • Alan Elefson – 7 years
  • John Sellars – 7 years
  • Bob Templeton – 7 years
  • Emil Segebart – 8 years
  • JoBeth Smith – 9 years
  • Marcia Stephens – 9 years
  • John Dunsdon – 9 years
  • Randy Smith – 10 years
  • Terry Geiger – 11 years
  • Stephanie Mendenhall – 11 years
  • Bill Morain – 14 years

Presentations from the event are available below:

DCDC presentation

Deb Brown Presentation

For all questions, contact Executive Director Shannon Erb via email at serb@dcdciowa.org or via phone at 641-442-6511. Follow the DCDC Facebook page at www.facebook.come/dcdciowa for updates on economic development and business news in Decatur County.
Over 60 attendees at the DCDC Annual Meeting and Fundraising Gala on April 20, 2018 held at The Cave Bar and Grill in Leon Tad Whittom accepts the 2017 DCDC Business of the Year Award for Freedom Racing Tool and Auto Dr. Jesse Bolinger, AmeriCorps VISTA with DCDC thanks Julia Wilkerson for her volunteer work on the new DCDC Resource Directory
Shane Akers accepts an award for service as a DCDC Board Member John Henderson accepts an award for service as a DCDC Board Member Michael Jordison accepts an award for service as a DCDC Board Member

Deb Brown provided the keynote address based her week

Thank you to the following businesses, organizations and individuals who helped make the first annual DCDC Annual Meeting and Fundraising Gala a success!

  • Thank you to everyone who attended to show support of Economic Development in Decatur County.
  • Thank you to all of DCDC’s public, business and individual donors who contribute annually to help with our continued growth.
  • Thank you to DCDC Board Members for your support.
  • Thank you to Curtis Manchester and Decatur County Hospital for catering the meal. And thanks to Bobby Reum for helping with set up and service.
  • Thank you to The Cave Bar and Grill for creating an event space and allowing us to rent it for our meeting.
  • Thank you to the Leon Journal-Reporter and Fusion Studios for use of tables and chairs.
  • Thank you to the Gala planning committee – Shelley Bickel, Jesse Bolinger, Chris Coffelt, Tammy Heintz and Sue Kelly.
  • Thank you to Deb Brown for an immersive county exercise creating meaningful, motivating conversations all week; and for providing our keynote. And thank you to the following sponsors for contributing toward Deb’s speaking fee: City of Lamoni, Lamoni Chamber of Commerce, Lamoni Development Corporation, City of Leon, Leon Chamber of Commerce, Leon Community Development Corporation.
  • Thank you to Laura and Monte Beemer at Little River Inn Motel for upgrading Deb Brown to the guest house at no additional cost.
  • Thank you to all those who donated a silent auction or raffle item: From the Ground, Leon Lions Club, Mormon Trail Schools, Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa, Leon’s New Horizons, Inc., Fusion Studios, Decatur County Public Health, BTC Bank, Jordan Omstead, Lamoni Schools, Central Decatur Schools, Decatur County Conservation Board, SCIT Theatre, Lamoni Hy-Vee, Later Gator Children’s Consignment Boutique, Graceland University, Larry Phillips, Main Street Brickhouse, Lamoni Lions Club, Lockdown Fitness, Farmers Bank of Northern Missouri, Cobblestone Inn & Suites, Coliseum Theatre, Riverbank Bar and Grill, Invinci Graphics II and Invinci Store, IowaWorks, Southwestern Community College.
  • Thank you to Alysha Van Laar and American State Bank for purchasing and creating our centerpieces with flowers from Yutze’s Greenhouse.

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Two Census Tracts in Decatur County Nominated as Opportunity Zones to Spur Business Investment

On Friday, April 20, Governor Kim Reynolds and Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, along with the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), announced 62 Iowa census tract nominations for Opportunity Zones designation. Opportunity Zones is a new economic development program administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The program was established within the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to encourage long-term investments in low-income zones by providing investors with a capital gains tax deferral. The Governor of each state was responsible for nominating Opportunity Zones in their state.

Census tracts eligible to be nominated for this program must have a poverty rate that is 20 percent or greater within the tract, and/or have a family income that is less than 80 percent of the area’s median income. In Iowa, 247 tracts are eligible. In Decatur County, there are three census tracts, and all are eligible to apply for this designation.

The Decatur County Development Corporation, in partnership with the Decatur County Supervisors and City Administrators, City Clerks and Council Members throughout the county worked together to apply for this designation for all three census tracts. The application told stories of our hardships, but also detailed our many recent successes, and expected continued success with the addition of this new incentive tool.

Of the three tracts applied for, two tracts were nominated by the Governor. The two tracts include the cities of Decatur City, Grand River, Lamoni and Leon; as well as rural areas surrounding these cities. This designation will allow economic development agencies in Decatur County to recruit new business to the area, leading to more jobs and capital investment to Decatur County. Decatur County is the only county in Iowa outside of Des Moines to have eligible tracts located on Interstate 35. Other nominated tracts in the region include Centerville, Chariton, Creston, and Winterset.

Nominations must be approved by the Treasury Department, and administrative rules are still being written, but this recognition from the Governor’s Office and other economic development partners throughout the state are evidence that Decatur County is innovate, creative and willing to welcome new business.

More information including a press release from the Governor’s office and a map of nominated tracts can be found at https://iowaeconomicdevelopment.com/opportunityzones.

If you have any questions on this program, contact Shannon Erb, Executive Director of the Decatur County Development Corporation via email at serb@dcdciowa.org, or via phone at 641-442-6511. Follow the DCDC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dcdciowa for continued updates on the business and economic development of the county.

Opportunity Zones Map for Decatur County

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The VISTA Experience

By: Dr. Jesse O. Bolinger

I come from a family that has a heritage of military service and was raised understanding that being of service is a blessing. As someone who is legally blind I always felt that direct service to my country was out of reach for me. This all changed this past August when I began a term of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA with Decatur County Development Corporation.

AmeriCorps VISTA members, unlike those found through AmeriCorps State or AmeriCorps National programs are distinct in two ways: first, VISTA members serve only in communities with poverty issues and second, they only work on creating programs and not serving directly with individuals or groups.  The VISTA experience is giving me the opportunity to use my technology skills while gaining new insights to understanding education, community issues and poverty issues.

In late August, just prior to beginning my year of service I attended Preservice Orientation in Philadelphia, PA.  This orientation included information about the benefits of service and focused heavily on understanding the impact of poverty.

About a month after beginning my service, an article written by a former member of the military who then served as a VISTA, landed in my e-mail inbox.  The article gave thanks to those who serve our country as members of the armed forces, but went on to encourage those who participate in National Service programs, such as AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA, RSVP and others, to count their VISTA time as service to the country and when asked what they did to say something like “I am serving my country as an AmeriCorps VISTA member.”

The Preservice Orientation experience and the article changed how I think about my year of service.  Not only do I now connect with other VISTA members differently, I consider how the projects I am engaged in with Decatur county Development Corporation could be adapted for use in other communities.

The projects I am working on for the next year include the development of a program to place professionals in 4th-8th grade classrooms to discuss careers, an internship program for high school students and programs and services to help individuals better understand personal finance and engage in new ways with available resources.

Over the remainder of my term of service as a VISTA, I encourage anyone who has questions, comments or ideas about how to improve the quality of life in Decatur County to contact me.  I enjoy having conversations with individual who wish to share their own personal experience and am always willing to visit with any individual or group. Please feel free to contact me by phone at (641)455-2896 or by e-mail at jbolinger@dcdciowa.org.

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