“Can Small Towns Be Cool?”~ Economic Development

Please join us for this economic development presentation by Dr. David Ivan (Michigan State University) as we learn specific strategies to attract talent, encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, retain youth, and foster regional cooperation to enhance community competitiveness.

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.