Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Americana
Strong policies are the backbone of thriving rural communities. From comprehensive plans to specific zoning regulations, these tools shape how small towns grow and adapt to challenges. Without strategic planning, rural areas risk stagnation or unsustainable growth. This post explores the critical role of strong policies in fostering resilience, provides practical examples, and offers tips […]
Small cities and rural communities are moving away from the traditional economic development approach of trying to attract big new industries and instead focusing on fostering local, homegrown economic opportunities. In 2025, building sustainable rural economies means empowering local entrepreneurs, supporting small businesses, and emphasizing sustainable practices that ensure long-term growth. This post explores key […]
The holiday season is a time of gathering, reflection, and dreaming. As we visit new places or return to the places we love, it’s also a time to think about how we can transform your hometown by bringing the best of what we experience back home. Whether we’re strolling through vibrant downtowns, exploring scenic trails, […]
Implementing arts-driven community and economic development to improve the places we live and love. Seasonal arts and culture ideas can be powerful drivers of economic growth in communities large and small, creating jobs, boosting tourism, and fostering local engagement. For community planners and economic developers, these initiatives act as valuable “cultural anchors,” stabilizing local economies […]
In city centers, fairgrounds, and events centers across America, holiday markets, autumn boutiques, and seasonal activities bring communities together and infuse neighborhoods with vibrant, festive spirit. From cider mills to arts and crafts markets, these attractions offer city residents and visitors alike a chance to experience a slice of rural charm within an urban setting. […]
Planners like to plan, and economic developers like to develop, but at the end of the day it’s about what we do to implement the plan that gets things done. Becky McCray and Deb Brown are practical people from small towns who are not planners—they are do-ers. Their mission is to help people get things […]
Short-Term Rentals like Airbnb have real world impacts on rural communities Over the past decade, short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb have overturned the travel and accommodation industry, providing tourists with unique stays in local homes rather than traditional hotels. While much of the conversation around short-term rentals has focused on urban markets, its growing […]
At their public hearing on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the City of Burwell, Nebraska, City Council adopted the new Burwell, Nebraska, Comprehensive Plan, as well as a new Zoning Ordinance, Official Zoning Map, and Subdivision Regulations, as recommended by the Planning Commission. The Burwell City Council also voted to accept the Burwell Strategic Plan and […]
Rural America has long been associated with vast landscapes and agricultural heritage, but today, these communities face a new set of challenges. Population decline, economic struggles, and the lure of urban life have left many rural areas searching for ways to sustain themselves. In the midst of these challenges, however, a new story is unfolding—one […]
Pagosa Springs’ namesake hot springs provide a unique local resource in a steady supply of naturally hot water, bubbling up in geothermal hot springs around which the town grew up. The Geothermal Greenhouse Partnership is a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to educate the community in small-scale, sustainable agriculture using local renewable energy. Over […]
