Leadership Certified Community Application

Leadership Certified Community Application Revised, January 2016

Program contact: Kelly Gewecke, 308-627-3151 or [email protected]

Program Purpose

In today’s competitive and challenging economic environment, it’s vital for communities to demonstrate pro-active leadership, not only to earn the trust of citizens, but to open doors to the many opportunities to grow, remain viable and become sustainable. The purpose of the Leadership Certified Community Program is to provide a solid framework for communities to identify capacity, stimulate focused planning, and utilize technology to provide a strong foundation to meet the challenges of the future.

Program Requirements Summary

 Completion of a community needs assessment showing community-wide involvement  Completion of a community profile  Development of a community strategic plan, utilizing the information from the needs assessment  Development of a comprehensive plan  Development of a capital improvement plan  Development of zoning and subdivision ordinances  Development of building codes, code enforcement and a building permit process  Updated and consistent online presence, including a community website  Updated and consistent presence on Location One Information System (LOIS) www.locationone.com  Establishment, and ongoing implementation of an active Business Retention and Expansion(BRE) program  Financing options for projects and goals included in the strategic plan and comprehensive plan  Development of a resource list for businesses, including financial and technical assistance programs and providers

Unlocked Version Page 1 Form Revised 01/05/2016 Initial Certification Application Process

Prior to submitting an application, the community must send a letter via US Postal Service and email to NDED stating the intention to become a Leadership Certified Community. The notification should include the anticipated timeline for application submittal, and contact information for the designated application coordinator. This notification allows NDED to set up a visit with the community and offer assistance as needed. The letter should be mailed to: Brian Gaskill, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, P.O. Box 94666, Lincoln, NE 68509-4666 and also sent by email addressed to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected].

Please submit the final application electronically as one pdf file, 5 MB or less, with supporting documentation as attachments within the application and bookmarked. Please do not use Drop Box as NDED is unable to utilize this program. The final application, including a copy of the original application intention letter, should be emailed to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected].

Upon receipt of the application, it will be reviewed for completeness. Additional information may be requested and a timeline for a response from the review team will be determined. Once all items are in place and complete, the community will be designated as an NDED Leadership Certified Community. The community will be presented a certificate, and a press release will be issued. The designation is good for 5 years. Along with the Leadership Certified Community Designation will come the opportunity to be awarded up to 75 extra points when a community applies for the Downtown Revitalization CDBG program through NDED and will also strengthen other applications with the community’s strong citizen participation as a result of the Leadership Certified Community Program. To benefit from this opportunity, communities must apply for, and be awarded, the Leadership Certified Community Designation prior to the CDBG grant application deadline. (NOTE: The community will need to submit a Leadership application approximately 45 to 60 days prior to the CDBG Downtown Revitalization application due date in order to give NDED enough time to ensure that a community has received the Leadership Certified Community Designation.)

Recertification Leadership designation is good for five years with annual reviews of the community websites. Websites not current and consistent with information will result in suspension of certification and the benefits associated with it.

Communities are required to apply for recertification prior to the end of their five year designation period. A reminder notification will be given 6 months prior to the recertification deadline. The Recertification Application should include the following:

 Update/evaluate community needs assessment  Updated community profile  Updated local website and LOIS site  Evaluation/update of the strategic plan  Evaluation/update of the comprehensive plan  Evaluation/update of the Business Retention and Expansion(BRE) program  Evaluate/update the business assistance and resource list  Evaluation/update of the capital improvement plan  Evaluation/update the funding plan

Unlocked Version Page 2 Form Revised 01/05/2016 SECTION ONE - COMMUNITY 1. Local government support a. Resolution of support from applicant community. (See attached sample resolution) b. Letters of support from any regional or neighboring economic development entities, such as multi-county economic development agencies, regional chambers of commerce, or development districts c. Include a copy of the original application intention letter 2. Describe collaborative relationships with local organizations a. Chamber of Commerce b. Community Club c. Convention and visitor’s bureau (CVB) d. Housing organizations or developers e. LB840 committee f. Downtown or main street organization g. Redevelopment authority h. Other organizations within the community 3. Describe level of volunteerism within your community. a. How do the different organizations within your community recruit volunteers? b. What types of volunteer opportunities are available? c. How do the different organizations within your community show appreciation to its volunteers?

SECTION TWO - STRATEGIC PLANNING

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT 1. Describe the process and tools used to conduct the community assessment. 2. Describe the involvement of stakeholders and the community at large. 3. Describe the results from the assessment process. 4. Specifically address findings in the following noted below, with particular information on the residents perception of a community’s opportunities and services. For example, do residents believe a particular service or program is adequate or needs improvement within the community: a. Communications i. Cell phone coverage ii. Broadband capabilities b. Healthcare c. Housing d. Education e. Employment f. Recreation/Tourism g. Community infrastructure h. Community services 5. Attach a copy of any reports developed as a result of the community assessment.

Unlocked Version Page 3 Form Revised 01/05/2016 COMMUNITY PROFILE 1. How was the community profile developed? 2. Provide the link for your online community profile. 3. What is your plan for ensuring that the profile remains up-to-date?

STRATEGIC PLAN (3-5 Years) 1. Provide a one page summary of the community strategic plan, including the process used for its development. An economic development strategic plan must be included in the overall community strategic plan. The strategic plan must be current, or reviewed, within the past 12 months. Include the issues identified, goals, objectives and action steps developed to address the issues. 2. Did the strategic plan address the issues listed in item 4 above? Discuss these issues and the goals and objectives identified to meet any challenges in these areas. 3. Attach a copy of the community strategic plan or provide a link to an online version.

SECTION THREE - COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ZONING

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 1. Provide a one page summary of the community’s comprehensive plan, including the process used for its development, any updates and a description of how it is being following. 2. Attach a copy of the comprehensive plan, or provide a link to an online version. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 1. Attach a copy of the capital improvement plan, or provide a link to an online version. ZONING AND SUBDIVISION ORDINANCES 1. Attach a copy of zoning and subdivision ordinances, or provide a link to an online version.

BUILDING CODES 1. Are building codes in place? 2. Are housing codes in place? 3. Are nuisance ordinances in place? 4. Attach a copy of any building codes, housing codes, and nuisance ordinances, or provide a link to online versions. CODE ENFORCEMENT 1. Who is responsible for code enforcement? 2. How often are inspections done? 3. How many violations have there been in the past 24 months? BUILDING PERMITS 1. Describe the process for issuing building permits in your community. 2. How many building permits were issued within the last year?

Unlocked Version Page 4 Form Revised 01/05/2016 SECTION FOUR - BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY

BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION (BRE) PROGRAM 1. Provide a summary of the BRE Strategy for the community including: a. How the program has been implemented. b. How many businesses are located in the community? c. How many businesses are visited with annually? d. How are visits conducted, and who is involved? e. What is done with data collected? f. How is follow-up initiated and tracked? g. Provide an explanation of how local businesses are communicated with. h. Provide an explanation of how local businesses are recognized. ONLINE PRESENCE 1. Provide link for community information on Location One Information System(LOIS)

2. Who is responsible for updating the community’s web presence? 3. Provide a link to the community’s local website. Community website must include: a. Identification 1. Name of community 2. Name of the state, Nebraska, must be clearly shown 3. Map showing location of community within Nebraska (preferred) 4. Location identification should be found on each page of the website 5. Action photos showcasing your community 6. All links must be working links b. Contact Information 1. Full/complete information (physical address, telephone with area code, email) found clearly on home page and in the footer/header/sidebar of every page on the site 2. Emails should be “hot” or working. They should be spelled out – not somebody’s name underlined or a sentence saying “email us.” 3. If the page has a “Contact Us” button or tab – it should open another page on the website with the same look and feel and it should contain contact information. This should never be a link that automatically opens an email. c. Navigation 1. Should be intuitively easy to follow 2. Easy to identify where you are within the site at all times 3. Provides a way back home without having to use “back” button d. Community Information 1. Employment opportunities 2. Housing 3. Utilities 4. Businesses 5. Restaurants 6. Local attractions/recreation 7. Local groups/volunteer opportunities 8. Local events information

Unlocked Version Page 5 Form Revised 01/05/2016 SECTION FIVE - IMPLEMENTATION

LOCAL FINANCING AND INCENTIVES Provide a summary of local or regional financing and incentive options. This should include financing options for all parts of the strategic plan and comprehensive plan. Do not include any state funding or incentives in this section. A summary might include brief descriptions of local or regional revolving loan funds, LB840 guidelines, CDBG reuse funds, identification of private investment clubs, bonding, special assessments etc.

BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL ASSISTANCE 1. Submit a summary of local and regional financing and incentive options for businesses. State incentives and financing programs may be included in this section.

2. Submit a summary of local or regional business assistance programs, including technical support, management support, and entrepreneurial support.

Name of Applicant Community

Typed Name and Signature of Chief Elected Official of the Applicant Community

Typed Name and Signature of Application Coordinator

Coordinator Contact Information:

Unlocked Version Page 6 Form Revised 01/05/2016 SAMPLE

Resolution of Support

WHEREAS, local municipal government, county government, and regional economic development entities must provide leadership and coordination for economic development efforts; and

WHEREAS, economic development needs can best be solved through a cooperative effort between local, county, regional and state economic development organizations and entities; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to recognize and promote our community’s organizational readiness, infrastructure investment, ability to respond to business needs, and

WHEREAS, the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Leadership Community Certification has been reviewed and found to be a program promoting our community’s economic development preparedness;

THEREFORE, the village board or city council of do herewith pledge their full support, endorsement, and cooperation for participation in the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Leadership Certified Community Program by (name of applicant village or city).

Approved this day of , 20

Signed

Unlocked Version Page 7 Form Revised 01/05/2016