University of Iowa's Initiative for Sustainable Communities to hold second year of studies in the Decorah area

Faculty and graduate students from the University of Iowa will be spending a second year in the Decorah area.

Representatives from The Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities met with City of Decorah and Winneshiek County officials late last week, as well as with community members.  The IISC has agreed to do two studies in Winneshiek County in 2015-2016, one involving the Metronet and Internet service, and another involving existing and planned recreational trails in the county.

The IISC has listed five goals for its study of the Metronet and Internet service:  "1) assess the potential economic impacts of MetroNet build out on the economy, revenue, and growth of the City of Decorah and surrounding rural and urban communities, particularly the City of Calmar and Northeast Iowa Community College; 2) identify opportunities to better serve the Decorah business community and attract new businesses (e.g., software development firms, data intensive firms) and telecommuting residents; 3) recommend options for locally-owned/operated Internet service providers (e.g., municipal utility, county utility, cooperative, or non-profit structures), formulate 'best fit' scenarios, model development plans, and consider methods of community engagement for decision-making; 4) identify opportunities to serve private citizens in or near the MetroNet ring; and 5) identify opportunities to extend Internet service to under-served rural residents and businesses near Decorah."

The IISC has listed five goals for it economic impact study and master plan for Winneshiek County trails: "1) design a comprehensive economic impact study, including compartmentalizing the impact of local versus non-local trail users and examining how spending varies based on distance traveled to utilize the trail; 2) collaborate with local volunteers and/or students to conduct the study; 3) make recommendations on future developments that will offer the greatest potential for sustainable economic growth; and 4) create a set methodology for economic assessment that will allow the work to be replicated on future trails both within the county and regionally."