Bill Menner is the founder of The Bill Menner Group, a consulting firm focused on community development, rural partnerships and economic vitality.  His work includes contract executive leadership of the Iowa Rural Health Association and the Iowa Rural Development Council.   

Bill updates us on the work of the Iowa Rural Development Council.   

Since 1992, the Iowa Rural Development Council (IRDC) has been engaging partners and assisting small towns.  

The IRDC was created as part of an Executive Order and ensuing Farm Bill in 1992. It received federal funding for many years and was later housed in the Iowa Department of Economic Development. But both state and federal funding dissolved and the group has operated informally without paid staff since 2005.