New program seeks to revitalize communities

Iowa State University’s Extension Department is part of a new statewide program called the “Community Vitality Center.” ISU economist Mark Edelman explains the purpose of the project is to create a place to study and analyze and serve as a repository for innovative ideas to stimulate vitality in communities in Iowa. Twenty community leaders from across the state are involved in the project. Edelman says they’ve come up with five projects to get started, three focus on entrepreneurial activities and two on improving the performance of rural services. Edelman says the leaders will be holding community forums this fall to talk about assisting entrepreneurs.The program received 268-thousand dollars in federal funding to get started.