News : Filling in the middle: Meeting to focus on ways to help grow Vinton

Iowa’s most valuable export is its young people.

But there are things that rural Iowa communities can do to encourage its high school and college graduates to choose to remain in their hometowns and find meaningful, sustainable employment.

Several committees of Vinton Unlimited’s Business Opportunity Group have been working on a variety of ways to increase the economic and job opportunities of students who will graduate from Vinton-Shellsburg High School. Committee 1 is focusing specifically on education, scholarships and work-related programs that can help provide assistance to students who are most likely to live, work and raise their families in the Vinton area.

To accomplish that purpose, the committee has been studying a book entitled “Hollowing Out the Middle.” This study of Sumner, Iowa, illustrates the things that small town leaders often do to send the message that in order to succeed, a student needs to leave.

Committee member Kurt Karr presented some information to the Vinton-Shellsburg staff members during their meeting Monday morning. He will present a similar program for the entire community at noon tomorrow at the Vinton Skate Center, during a “brown bag” lunch event. Everyone is invited to come to discuss the ways to improve economic opportunities for Vinton’s young adults. Participants may bring their lunch, if they wish. The committee is trying to focus the discussion on how Vinton can "fill in the middle," and make more opportunities for students who want to live in the area.

For more information about the book, "Hollowing Out the Middle," click HERE.