A program designed to train rural community leaders that will culminate in development of an action plan has been developed by the Leadership and Community Image Subcommittee of Utah Small Cities Inc., according to Glenn Greenhalgh, chairman.
"Economic success doesn't come just by chance in rural Utah. For every success you will find a strong leader behind the scenes making things happen. We're looking for rural leaders who have a vision of the future and are willing to become involved in the kind of positive risk-taking that will make this vision become a reality," he said.Rather than use an individual approach to training, as has been done in the past, this new program calls for three-member teams from 10 rural communities outside Salt Lake, Utah, Weber or Davis counties to attend three leadership training sessions in the next year.
The first will be held Jan. 18 in the governor's mansion. Applications are due Dec. 1 and enrollment is limited to 10 communities. Interested leaders can contact Ed Meyer or Joyce Smith in the Utah Division of Business and Economic Development at 538-3033.
Greenhalgh said participants will receive training to develop personal, interpersonal, problem-solving and team-building skills. They also will work as a team to develop a vision for their communities and write a relevant action plan. Resources will be identified to help implement the action plan.
Included in the program will be an out-of-state trip to see economic development programs in other states.