Our Shared Destiny

Park Rapids lakes area will be a vibrant community with opportunity for all. We will embrace an exceptional quality of life and a growing economy, while protecting our natural environment and small town beauty and charm. Park Rapids will be known as a community that is a great place to live, work and play:

- acknowledging our differences;

- respecting each other’s talents;

- valuing shared prosperity; and

- working together for the broader community good.

Economics and Prosperity

Why is this important?

Economic development and the economy have always been an important piece in rural quality of life. With current economic conditions nation wide, it is even more important to focus on our local economy and identify opportunities that may exist. Rapidly growing telecommunication technologies and changing trends in labor force demands present both challenges and opportunities for moving Park Rapids forward.

How is Park Rapids doing?

The Park Rapids community is relatively poor. As a county our poverty rate is higher than the state average. Furthermore, half of the population in our county makes under $35,000 per year.

click on image to see larger view Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census	Poverty Rate. The poverty rate represent the number of families (or single individuals) below the poverty line. This information comes from the U.S. Census Bureaus' 2000 Census. Click here to view the U.S. Census Bureau’s website and to access a fact sheet for the community.
“...our poverty rate is higher than the state average.”

Real Household Income Distribution. The numbers in this chart represent the percent of people who fall into a given income category. The household income includes the sum of all types of income for individuals who occupy the housing unit as their usual place of residence. Click here to view numerous economic indicators for Hubbard County.

click on image to see larger view

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census

click on image to see larger view

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 Census

Median Household Income. Median income is the mid point for the income distribution, with half of the county population earning more than the median and half of the county population earning less than the median. Hubbard county has a Median Household Income of $35,321. This is almost $19,000 below the state median.

What can we do about this?

We need to utilize our community assets to maximize our potential. Although we struggle economically, we as a community have everything we need to create a better future. By utilizing our community assets and capitalizing on our strengths we can begin to create economic prosperity. What kind of strategies makes sense? Some are
listed below.

Complete the Downtown Revitalization Project. This is both an economic development project and a quality of place initiative. Click here to view the Downtown Park Rapids Plan.

Develop efforts to make the community “telecommunications friendly” to grow businesses. As technology changes the Park Rapids community will have to make the intentional effort to position ourselves for success. This could take two different forms: an effort to expand broadband access, and an initiative to create a business center that serves the needs of small businesses dependent on telecommunications technology.

Continue and enhance local entrepreneurship training. The Hubbard County Regional EDC has initiated some local entrepreneurship training that is of real benefit to our region. The community should find ways to enhance this initiative. Strategies to grow the knowledge and skills of our talent base in other ways are also included in the People and Talent section of this report.

How to get involved…

There will be a number of organizations who will work towards success on the strategies outlined above. If you would like to get involved contact the following people:

Hubbard County Regional Economic Development Commission
Click here to visit the HCREDC’s website.

David Collins
Executive Director
dwc@hubbardcountyedc.com
218-732-2256

301 Court Ave.
Park Rapids, MN 56470
http://www.hubbardcountyedc.com/index.html

Park Rapids Downtown Business Association

Peter McEwen
President
maprmcewen@yahoo.com
218-732-9063

Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Click here to visit the Chamber’s website.

Katie Magozzi
Executive Director
katie@parkrapids.com
218-732-4111

Hwy. 71 South
PO Box 249
Park Rapids, MN 56470
http://www.parkrapids.com