Meet Minburn Communications Staff: Gina Webb

June 12, 2023 (Woodward, IA) – The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced assistance for two pilot communities that will identify and implement plans for transformation and growth. Technical assistance and grant funding will support investments in the planning and organization process. The awards were made through IEDA’s new rural-focused Building Ownership & Organization by Strengthening Teams (BOOST) program.

The BOOST program, administered by IEDA’s Center for Rural Revitalization, helps connect experts to rural Iowa community and business leaders to provide direction and develop intentional plans for next step growth. Through the pilot program, rural communities will receive personalized action steps toward the goals identified in the application, in areas such as downtown revitalization, housing development,
and workforce attraction.

As a result of a competitive review process, the two communities selected are the City of Creston and City of Woodward. Each awarded community will be visited by a BOOST team of experts to meet with the local steering committee; obtain a recommendations and resources document of outcomes following the meeting; and receive a $10,000 grant for implementing outcomes.

Creston, with a population of 7,536, is ready to leverage this program to take the next step after years of projects and improvements. They have the energy and local support but are seeking direction on how to address top concerns identified in a recent comprehensive plan’s public participation process: improving the physical appeal of Uptown Creston, adding affordable housing and improving infrastructural conditions and amenities of the West Adams Street Corridor.

Woodward, with a population of 1,346, recognizes that they have the pieces, the assets and the team to make change but need guidance on taking the first steps and information on resources the community can effectively leverage. Woodward has lost over 10% of its population since 2011 and faces future potential population decline. They are at a pivotal point in determining the trajectory of their future. Woodward’s steering committee, which includes a local student to better understand the youth perspective, identified the need for a new strategic plan, business incentive strategy and a corridor study as potential outcomes from the program.

In addition to the BOOST, the City of Woodward also received assistance from the Ripple Effect program through their partnership with Minburn Communications.

“On behalf of the Woodward Economic Development Association and the entire community of Woodward, I would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the selection committee for choosing Woodward as a BOOST award recipient. I would also like to extend our gratitude to the Aureon Ripple Effect team for their invaluable assistance throughout the process. Once again, thank you to the selection committee and the Aureon Ripple Effect team for their confidence in our community.” Craig DeHoet, Woodward Economic Development Association.

The BOOST program was created in 2022 and is funded through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature for Empower Rural Iowa initiatives. Iowa communities were invited to apply, and applications were scored based on criteria that include economic need, partners, readiness and strategic goals. Applicants are required to provide financial match. Programs must exist in and benefit a community in Iowa with a population of 20,000 or fewer and not contiguous to a city with a population of 40,000 or greater.

For more information on the BOOST program, visit https://www.iowaeda.com/center-for-rural-revitalization/rural-boost/ or contact Liesl Seabert at 515.348.6154 or rural@iowaeda.com.

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About Minburn Communications
A stock company governed by a Board of Directors, Minburn Communications is a Certified Gig-Capable telecommunications provider. Our network is 100% fiber to the premise delivering Broadband Internet, Managed Wi-Fi, Voice, Video Entertainment TV, Fixed Wireless Internet, Business Phone Solutions and more to customers in Minburn, Woodward, Perry, Dallas Center and rural Dallas County. Originally created in 1903 as Minburn Mutual Telephone Company, the company has grown to include the subsidiaries of Minburn Telephone Company, Minburn Cablevision, Inc., Minburn Telecommunications,
Inc., and Dallas County Wireless, Inc. which are all d/b/a Minburn Communications. Experience our Hometown Touch by contacting us at www.minburncomm.com, 515-438-2200 or follow us at www.facebook.com/Minburn-Communications

About Ripple Effect
The Ripple Effect program, a partnership alliance between Aureon and Iowa Area Development Group (IADG), is designed to advance the business and community development virality of rural Iowa by joining local Independent Telecommunications Companies (EX: Minburn Communications) and partnering municipalities in their economic development initiatives. The program provides financial and technical
assistance to business and industry and communities, through local telecommunications providers, to stimulate growth and development in rural Iowa.