Building Possibility
Small Towns or Big Cities?
Did you know more people are leaving big cities and moving to small towns? Why is that? There are several easy answers: Lower cost of living Recreational offerings like trails, beaches, and mountains Smaller and better schools Safer streets No traffic and shorter commutes to work What are some of the benefits of moving from…
Read MoreOur Young People are Leaving
In an email, the writer asked: Why are young people leaving their small towns? What can rural communities do, or are doing, to compete? Why are young people leaving? Here’s just a few things people told us in The Survey of Rural Challenges about why youth are leaving: This town experiences many of the same…
Read MoreSuccessful economic development involves the arts
The top conclusion of the survey was that rural people were twice as likely to say they were optimistic about their communities’ future as negative. Times they are a’changin. The old ways are no longer working, and new ways are being explored. People are realizing a community is made up of many people, and they…
Read MoreWe tried an idea
The Survey of Rural Challenges had a place to add comments. We were pleasantly surprised to see how many people shared something related to “we tried an idea.” Here’s a few: New idea for a restaurant: Adding a lunch counter and doing things totally different than anyone else in town. People either love it or…
Read MoreUse the assets you have in your small town
People in small towns often say “there’s nothing to do here.” I beg to differ. You will be surprised by the list of assets you can come up with. Caring people, good schools, local artists are a few assets your town might have. What are other assets? natural resources – like scenic landscapes, waterfalls, rivers…
Read MoreNotes from Placemaking Conference for Small and Rural Communities
I attended Placemaking in Small and Rural Communities online conference hosted by USDA and the University of Kentucky. It was all day, and I was able to attend most of the sessions. Enjoy this article that shares the tidbits I gathered. Why attend something like this? I work in rural communities and placemaking is vital…
Read MoreJackson County and Grayson KY Stories and Volunteers
“Change can be activated in a society by way of story.” from the book Spirit Run I just returned from Jackson County, Kentucky and the small town of Grayson, Kentucky. There’s a natural beauty in those mountains and winding roads. The people were kind, helpful and want to see their towns thrive. They shared stories…
Read MoreSeeds can be a big deal to a hungry community
In Erie City, Kansas, population 1,100, the public library director, Julie Kent, shared their seed sharing program that went from just a few tomato plants and the shuttered library building, to a community-wide home gardening movement. The librarians gave 35 families bags of seeds, starter onions, potatoes, and tomato plants, along with planting instructions and…
Read MoreSteal all the ideas
As you travel, locally or further, take a look at what other communities are doing to create ways for people to remember them (placemaking.) In Gulfport where I live, the Port Authority lights up the port with the colors of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is kind of a big deal down here. Where could you…
Read MoreMost of us are just curious (snoopy) by nature
Ten years ago I made up the Tour of Empty Buildings. I had moved to a town with 14 empty buildings downtown and was the new Chamber of Commerce Director. I knew it would be my job to fill those buildings. But how? I wanted to know what was in those buildings, what had been…
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