The Economic Development presentation of “Can Small Towns Be Cool?” features Dr. David Ivan who will offer specific strategies to attract talent, encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, retain youth, and foster regional cooperation to enhance community competitiveness. The presentation will be held at the Raton Convention Center on Monday, March 9, 2015 at 6PM and is sponsored by City of Raton, Colfax County, Miners’ Colfax Medical Center and Holiday Inn Express of Raton.
Speaker, Dave Ivan conducts community & economic development programs statewide for Michigan State University Extension. He has spoken at more than 50 state, regional and national municipal and Main Street conferences.
Ivan has conducted previous research on community sustainability, including a 2002 federally-funded project entitled “Small Town Success Strategies, and a 2004 project entitled “Can Small Towns Be Cool.” His current research topics examine small community approaches to compete in the new economy and the use of social media to engage new players in economic development.
His seminar topics have included community sustainability, regionalism, downtown development strategies, and community entrepreneurship strategies.The presentation includes video feeds and internet links that are complemented by audience participation and interaction to make the engaging presentation both locally relevant and meaningful.
Grateful to the City of Raton, Colfax County, Miners Colfax Medical Center and Holiday Inn Express sponsoring this event. Really impressed with the message and huge turnout to help turn around our region and Billy D echoed the message the day after that it is up to us. Government can do some of the work but it is up to us. I would recommend anyone who is involved or interested in our communities future direction to watch “can small towns be cool”. KRTN is cool.