For the 2nd year the Harpers Ferry Boosters Inc (HFBI) is participating in Great Give Day. It is on a one day opportunity. This is a national fundraising event for nonprofits. The money given to an organization is enhanced by national and local matches. HFBI registered early to be included in a $250 participant drawing. If you contribute as little as $10 to the HFBI the actual amount received by the Boosters will be greater because of additional matches.
How to give on May 3, 2016:
Go to: www..GreatGiveDay.org
Search for : Harpers Ferry Boosters Inc
Follow the prompts and give.

The Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future Increasing Year-Round Residents workgroup will deliver surveys to all Harpers Ferry residents this month that will assess the need for affordable senior housing.

“The goal of this group is to discover ways we can hold on to and increase our permanent population,” said group leaders Larry Schulte and Pat Coda. “Many residents have left Harpers because their housing needs changed with time, and we as a community could not accommodate their needs. We hope that our efforts can change that.”

If enough need is determined by the surveys, the group will consider creating a nonprofit, applying for a grant and beginning fundraising.  The construction of a senior housing complex would not be funded by the city.

The Increasing Year-Round Residents workgroup is one of four Vision for Our Future groups that meet monthly to set goals and develop action plans to shape the future of Harpers Ferry. The vision is to create a place where young families thrive, small business and jobs grow, service to tourists is enhanced and a year-round home can be established for an increasing number of residents.

Community members who wish to fill out the survey electronically are encouraged to do so at here.

Harpers Ferry Vision for Our Future is a community-wide visioning project sponsored by the Allamakee County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and the USDA Rural Community Development Initiative.

To learn more about Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future or join a workgroup, contact Theresa Gallagher at 563.380.2111 or gallagherlarkin@gmail.com.

 

A meeting of the Tourists and Seasonal Residents was held on Thursday, August 13, 2015. Lowell Engel called it to order and eight members were present.

Projects discussed were:
1. RV Park: Lowell Engels talked to the Stilwell family about the RV park and they seemed very interested in utilizing their land as an RV park.
2. Dredging: Mike Whalen contacted the Army Core of Engineers about dredging and they are only interested in dredging the main channel, but Mike will continue to look further into a solution.
3. Fire and EMS gear: There is a grant writing meeting coming up and Betty Steege will check on the training dates so we can go ahead with writing the grant.

Lowell will talk to Chuck Gipp about making a few boat slips at the state landing for short term parking for public use.  Next meeting is Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.

PRESENT:      Karen Soper, Sam Fox, Ron Steege, Ardie Kuhse, Betty Steege, Theresa Gallagher

The Business & Jobs Committee met on Thursday morning, July 30, 2015, at 10:00 am in the Harpers Ferry City Hall Council Room.  Chairperson, Karen Soper opened the meeting with a review of what had been discussed in June.  The priorities and issues stated at that meeting dealt with city water, internet service, a possible satellite medical clinic, public transportation and surveying the current Harpers Ferry businesses. 

The first thing the group did was to start identifying active businesses in and around Harpers Ferry.  The group would like to invite several of those business persons in to talk to the group to help us identify why Harpers Ferry is appealing to them as their business location.  There was a strong feeling of this committee that several committee groups of the Vision for the Future do overlap and could/should work together on some visions.  Especially mentioned was that this group would like to have businesses be included in the new Harpers Ferry brochure that is being considered and would be willing to give input on business information for that.

There was good discussion – some points being:

CON: 

•  Harpers is currently landlocked
  
• When school closed was hard on young families settling here
  
• Seasonal residents are good, year-round residents only around 260 persons
  
•  Main Street presence was gone
  

PRO:   

• Townspeople are enthusiastic
  
• Very active and supportive Harpers Ferry Boosters, Inc. and Harpers Ferry
  Historical Society
  
• Good support for local businesses (one-stops, restaurants, etc.)
  
• The River, Boat Landings & Parking
  
• Very nice Park

Next the group threw out ideas that could or could not work:

• Bicycle Shop
• Year Round Outfitters Shop and/or Tackle and Bait Shop
• Small Flea Market or Antique Mall
• Coffee Shop & Bakery - and/or breakfast and/or lunch options
  
• Sub Sandwich Shop
  
• Small Boutique and/or Craft Shop
  
• E-Bay or Craig’s List Pick-up Center
  
• Develop a marked Sand Bar and Swimming area with Lifeguards and Concession Stand(s)
  
• Chamber or Booster Club Incubator or Incentive help for businesses
  

As the discussion continued the committee kept coming back to WHERE.  A member brought up that an old Victorian House in town was for sale, located on what we would describe as the business corner of Main Street Harpers (Barry’s Mini Mart, Missfitz Bar & Grill, etc).  Thoughts were that it could be developed to house a “mini mall” type of business whereby several entrepreneurs could rent a room or space to sell out of.  A phone call was made to the realtor of the house and it was available for us to view that day, which we did and are still excited for potentials it could bring.  The committee will continue to explore options that may go along with that thinking (would need investors and business interests, etc.)..

Other community thoughts shared at the meeting included:

• A Bed and Breakfast would be a nice addition to the community
  
• A monthly community activity could be planned such as a street dance or just Music in the Park Concerts, or an outdoor Movie Night – anything to create community togetherness and community support
  
• Trails and Bike Trails or even horseback trails (although this is an option at Yellow River State Forest)
  

Allamakee County Economic Development will continue to be an active partner in looking for resources and ideas for the community; Allamakee County Foundation will also be considered as a partner for grant funding opportunities as well as others; the need to seek out local investors, etc.

To move forward with the Victorian House possibility would be a primary goal and/or project for the group to develop as a first step in attracting any small business opportunities.

The next scheduled meeting for this committee will be on Tuesday, August 25th, 7:00 pm at City Hall.

The above constitutes my interpretation of the matters discussed   


Ardie Kuhse,
Recording Secretary

1. The necessity for city water: Larry Schulte found that for senior housing (independent living) no city water is needed. The only requirements would be those in place for Allamakee County and Harpers Ferry. Such housing could be city-owned or built by a private contractor. For assisted living or nursing home facilities, the Bureau for Inspection and Appeals has to approve them, and there is a very long list of requirements to meet. Nearby assisted living facilities also have to approve allowing a new one to be built. City water may not be a requirement.

2. Enough interest in the area: Suggestions were made for sending a letter out to the whole area asking for public input. Betty Steege will look into that, and also maybe using the Boosters mailing list. Norm Delphey will check with the Harpers Ferry City Council if a note could be added to city electric and sewer bills. There may be funds available for an independent study to see what would be the best fit for the area: independent living or assisted living. Pat Cota will check with Joe Saddler and Julie Fossum about whom to contact.

3. Transportation availability: Kathy Whalen will check with Northeast Iowa Transit (Community Action) out of Decorah and with Prairie du Chien to see about costs and availability to the public. She will also contact the NE Iowa Area Agency on Aging in Waukon.

4. A concern was raised about whether city residents would have their water tested. There is a fee for this and the item was tabled until more is known about the need for city water.

5. Our next meeting is Thursday, August 20, 7:00 pm at the Community Center.

If you would like to join the conversation, there are still opportunities for you to join a focus group.  To join a group or learn more, contact community coordinator Theresa Gallagher ‎at gallagherlarkin@gmail.com or 563.380.2111.

Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future is a community visioning project sponsored by the Allamakee County Community Foundation and the USDA Rural Community Development Initiative with the purpose of planning for the future of Harpers Ferry.

In 2014, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque received a $152,492 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program. RCDI helps community-based development organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes and other groups promote economic growth in low-income, rural communities. CFGD’s grant seeks to build greater prosperity and sustainability in four rural counties in Iowa and Jo Daviess County in Illinois. In Harpers Ferry, that effort has helped created Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future.

A meeting of the Tourists and Seasonal Residents was held on Thursday, July 9,  2015. Lowell Engel called it to order and ten members were present.

Projects discussed were:

1. RV Park: Lowell Engel will talk to Stilwell's about their land.
   
2. Dredging: Mike Whalen will contact the Army Core of Engineers.  The problem with the ice at Joyce Lake was also mentioned and the possibility of either drilling poles in or building berms.
   
3. Fire and EMS gear: Dave Cota will work on a grant.
   

A few other ideas mentioned were:

• Fitness and Wellness Center: with either equipment or instructor-led classes.
  
• Satellite Day Clinic: unsure if it would be utilized enough throughout the year.
  
• Boat slips for short-term parking: talk to the County Conservation Board about making boat slips available for guests to park boats while eating in town.
  

Next meeting is Thursday, August 13, 2015.

If you would like to join the conversation, there are still opportunities for you to join a focus group.  To join a group or learn more, contact community coordinator Theresa Gallagher ‎at gallagherlarkin@gmail.com or 563.380.2111.

Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future is a community visioning project sponsored by the Allamakee County Community Foundation and the USDA Rural Community Development Initiative with the purpose of planning for the future of Harpers Ferry.

In 2014, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque received a $152,492 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program. RCDI helps community-based development organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes and other groups promote economic growth in low-income, rural communities. CFGD’s grant seeks to build greater prosperity and sustainability in four rural counties in Iowa and Jo Daviess County in Illinois. In Harpers Ferry, that effort has helped created Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future.

8.   Use the working group project form to assign tasks.
9.   If necessary, use cell phone cameras to make copies of any hand-written documents           from the meeting and share with others via email, as well as send to the Mayor                       hrfycity@acegroup.cc Otherwise, be sure notes taken on a laptop or typed and are                 shared with the group, the mayor, the other working group leaders and with                              jon@dbqfoundation.org

If you would like to join the conversation, there are still opportunities for you to join a focus group.  To join a group or learn more, contact community coordinator Theresa Gallagher ‎at gallagherlarkin@gmail.com or 563.380.2111.

Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future is a community visioning project sponsored by the Allamakee County Community Foundation and the USDA Rural Community Development Initiative with the purpose of planning for the future of Harpers Ferry.

In 2014, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque received a $152,492 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program. RCDI helps community-based development organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes and other groups promote economic growth in low-income, rural communities. CFGD’s grant seeks to build greater prosperity and sustainability in four rural counties in Iowa and Jo Daviess County in Illinois. In Harpers Ferry, that effort has helped created Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future. 

Through the rain they came—young and old, lifetime residents and new to break bread in celebration and collaboration.

For Harpers Ferry, this was the result of months of community conversations addressing key issues related to strengths and weaknesses, goals, and achievements.  This Mayor's Dinner was the next step for Harpers Ferry to take necessary action for the future.

On June 11 at 5:30 in City Hall, Mayor Jerry Valley and Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future hosted a free dinner to discuss the results of six 'Community Conversation' sessions that have been a part of establishing a baseline of Harpers Ferry residents' dreams and needs.

Residents of Harpers Ferry were asked to respond to the following questions online and at six 'Community Conversation' events:

As a result of the community surveys, four themes rose to the top to form focus groups at the dinner.

Our Future for Harpers Ferry is...

If you missed out on any of this, there are still opportunities for you to join a focus group.  To join a group or learn more, contact community coordinator Theresa Gallagher ‎at gallagherlarkin@gmail.com or 563.380.2111.

Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future is a community visioning project sponsored by the Allamakee County Community Foundation and the USDA Rural Community Development Initiative with the purpose of planning for the future of Harpers Ferry.

In 2014, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque received a $152,492 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) program. RCDI helps community-based development organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes and other groups promote economic growth in low-income, rural communities. CFGD’s grant seeks to build greater prosperity and sustainability in four rural counties in Iowa and Jo Daviess County in Illinois. In Harpers Ferry, that effort has helped created Harpers Ferry/Vision for Our Future.