Phew! What a year it’s been. From small towns to big ideas, 2024 has shown me once again that the heart of community development lies in the passion and creativity of people like you.
Chatsworth, Georgia: Where Empty Buildings Come to Life
We kicked off the year in Chatsworth, Georgia, where the Chamber of Commerce invited me to keynote their annual dinner. I talked about filling empty buildings. Let me tell you, the energy in that room was electric! We dove into two game-changing projects: the Incubator Project and the Save the Theater Project.
The Incubator Project really got people’s gears turning. One attendee told me, “I never even thought about helping my creative friends out like this! I have an insurance agency and can also have a business inside a business.”
It’s all about thinking outside the box and finding creative ways to use our spaces.
**Takeaway:**
Stroll around your town and look at those empty buildings with fresh eyes. Could that old warehouse become a shared workspace for local artisans? Or could that vacant storefront house a rotating pop-up shop featuring different local businesses each month?
I’m on stage sharing the story of the Tour of Empty Buildings.
Expert Webinars: Bringing Big Ideas to Small Towns
Our Expert Webinar Series this year was like a buffet of brilliant ideas for rural communities. We had Dell Gines from the International Economic Development Council sharing his wisdom on rural collaboration. Then Melody Warnick, author of “This is Where You Belong,” gave us some fantastic insights on keeping and attracting talented folks to rural areas.
**Takeaway:**
Don’t let these resources go to waste! Why not organize a watch party for your town’s movers and shakers? Pop some popcorn, gather around a screen, and let the ideas flow. You never know what amazing projects might spark from a simple webinar viewing. These webinars are available to you at no charge.
National Main Street Conference: Where the Magic Happens in Hallways
May found me in Birmingham, Alabama, for the National Main Street Conference. Now, the sessions were great, like the tourism one by Sheila Scarborough, primary at www.TourismCurrents.com, where she taught everyone how to get back to basics.
But let me tell you about the real magic – the hallway conversations!
I bumped into Marci Goodwin from www.smartstartcommunity.com, and we had a fantastic chat about new ways to support our towns. Erik Reader from Illinois Main Street joined in, and before we knew it, we had a mini think-tank going right there in the corridor!
Justin Copenhaver from www.Urality.com shared his exciting new project with Jeff Siegler – The Downtown Playbook. And Emily Kurash Casey from Minnesota Main Street told us about Springboard for the Arts presenting to city councils about the power of art as economic development. Talk about a lightbulb moment!
**Takeaway:**
Next time you’re at a conference, don’t just stick to the schedule. Strike up conversations between sessions – that’s where some of the best ideas are born!
After Sheila Scarborough’s presentation, folks lined up to visit with her.
Shawnee, Oklahoma: Bikes, Tattoos, and Community Spirit
In Shawnee, we’ve been working on an Intensive Idea Friendly Action Package, and boy, has it been exciting! One of the coolest outcomes (out of many) is Bikes on Bell! This event started with a local tattoo shop (yes, you read that right) closing down Bell Street for a day of bikes, music, and community fun.
The first event drew 300 people, and by the second, they’d doubled that number. In October, they held “Biketoberfest,” and the turnout was incredible. It just goes to show that great ideas can come from unexpected places.
**Takeaway:**
Look for unique ways to bring people downtown. Your local bookstore could host a midnight release party for a popular book, or your hardware store could organize a DIY workshop series. The possibilities are endless!
First Bikes on Bell event, photo provided to us from their Facebook page
National Rural Grocery Summit: More Than Just Food
June found me in Montgomery, Alabama, for the National Rural Grocery Summit. Now, I’ll admit, I had no idea how many people were passionate about rural grocery stores – but wow, was I impressed!
I shared the stage with Lyndsay Gutierrez and Nicole Borner from the Montana Cooperative Development Center. We talked about everything from food tourism to building capacity for women in rural food systems. It was eye-opening to see how many challenges (and opportunities) exist in this space.
**Takeaway:**
Don’t overlook your local grocery store as a community hub. Could it host cooking classes using local produce? Or partner with local farmers for a weekly market? The grocery store can be much more than just a place to buy food.
Alpine, Texas: Rising from the Ashes
My visit to Alpine, Texas, for the West Texas Rural Philanthropy Days was a powerful reminder of how communities can come together in tough times. A devastating fire had recently destroyed an entire block of art galleries and businesses downtown. But instead of giving up, the community rallied.
Local businesses organized fundraisers to help those who lost their stores. It was a beautiful example of a town taking care of its own. And you know what? The artists created a stunning piece of art to commemorate their resilience. That’s the spirit!
**Takeaway:**
Build strong networks in your community before disaster strikes. When tough times hit, you’ll already have a support system in place. Consider organizing a “business buddy” system where local shops look out for each other.
Lander County, Nevada: Communication is Key
In Lander County, we worked on a beautification project that turned into so much more. One of the big takeaways? Communication is crucial. The county was doing great things, but residents weren’t always in the loop.
We came up with some creative solutions. For example, they started printing copies of their newsletter and leaving them in places seniors gather. Simple, but effective!
They also tackled the issue of weeds and non-running cars on the streets brilliantly. Instead of complaining, they partnered with a local store to create a tool library. The county will pay up to $300 per resident per year to borrow the equipment they need. Talk about a win-win solution!
**Takeaway:**
Think about how you’re sharing information in your community. Are you reaching everyone? It may be time to start a town podcast or partner with local businesses to create information hubs around town.
An example of cars and weeds in front of one house.
NADO: A Meeting of Minds
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) event was a highlight of the year. I spoke about The Idea Friendly Method in my workshop and facilitated a discussion in another session. Imagine 50 experts gathered around a table, all brainstorming solutions for filling empty buildings. The energy was incredible!
**Takeaway:**
Don’t be afraid to bring experts together to tackle your town’s challenges. Host a local “think tank” day where community leaders and residents can brainstorm solutions to pressing issues.
Presentation Innovative Rural Business Models in a full room
Geneva, Illinois: Big Ideas and Small Steps
In Geneva, I had the pleasure of keynoting at the Illinois Main Street event. We focused on the Idea Friendly Method, getting attendees to write down their big ideas and first steps. It was amazing to see people’s faces light up as they realized they could start making a difference right away.
While I was there, I couldn’t resist exploring the local shops. If you’re ever in the area, check out The Little Traveler – they’ve turned an old Italianate Victorian residence into a 36-room treasure trove of a shop. It’s a perfect example of repurposing historic buildings creatively.
**Takeaway:**
Encourage people in your community to identify one small step they can take today toward their grand vision for tomorrow. Big changes often start with tiny actions!
The conference gave a copy of my new book to all attendees, and I had my first book signing!
Okolona, Mississippi: Youth Power
In Okolona, I was part of a 3-day Metro-Okolona, Mississippi Revitalization Conference where we walked the town, led an Idea Friendly Workshop, and engaged with students. Let me tell you, those young people were bursting with ideas and enthusiasm!
We gave the students just 7 minutes to learn about the Idea Friendly Method and create their projects. And you know what? That’s all they needed. They picked it up quickly, knew what they wanted, and were ready to work together to make it happen.
**Takeaway:**
Don’t underestimate your youth! Give them opportunities to share their ideas and get involved in community projects. Their fresh perspectives can be game-changing.
This table of students wants a cosmetology school in town. Their small-step idea was to host an event at the local school gym and let students (who know how to braid, lock and cut hair) work with professionals from the community.
San Juan County, Utah: Ideas Galore
My last stop of the year was in San Juan County, Utah, for their Business Basecamp Conference & Expo. The ideas that came out of this conference were incredible – from coffee shops to pop-up concerts to youth internship programs.
Here’s just a taste of ideas people texted to the Economic Development Director:
– A coffee shop in La Sal
– A car wash in Montezuma Creek
– Worker housing for Atomic Blue Motor Lodge in Monticello City
– An artisan pop-up shop in Blanding
– A volunteer program and a new kitchen for senior services in Bluff
– A pop-up concert series
– A mini Sundance festival featuring locally and native-created short films and documentaries
– Training from scientists in geology and astronomy
– Incorporating Dine teachings into tour guide programs
– An adult life skills class for youth
– A program with BLM for youth to get internships using drones
I’m looking forward to returning in February to help some of these entrepreneurs get started with their small steps and help the county set up a county-wide Chamber of Commerce.
**Takeaway:**
Create spaces for idea-sharing in your community. You never know what amazing projects might emerge when you give people a chance to voice their dreams.
Mayor Bayley, Economic Development Director Talia and me. Yes, that is pie.
Wrapping It All Up
As we look ahead to 2025, remember that building strong communities isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about asking the right questions, connecting with others, and being willing to take those first small steps.
So, what’s your big idea for your community? What small step can you take today to start making it a reality? Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. Reach out, connect, and let’s keep building possibility together.
Here’s to another year of innovative, idea-friendly communities. Let’s make 2025 even more amazing!
Becky and I, cofounders of SaveYour.Town, work to help small towns create practical steps towards a brighter future. We are excited to see the transformative nature of our work, and the empowerment of rural communities. We bring a forward-looking perspective to our engagements. For more information (and to sign up for the free newsletter), visit www.SaveYour.Town.