THE RURBAN FRINGE

Small Town Makes a Statement With Signage

When a highway bypass was built around Hooper, Nebraska, residents feared the slow death of their community.  To bring folks back to the town’s core, residents and businesses of Hooper came together to remind travellers of the community’s existence.
“We kind of lost our identity now that the highway didn’t go through town,” said David Hingst, 58, [...]

Affordable and Appropriate Infrastructure

[ Rural communities want to survive ... and thrive.  That's why Paul Koch's article, Enhancing the Survivability of Your Rural Community, caught my eye as his list offers a number of steps communities can take to help ensure that they remain relevant and vibrant places to live.  With more than 35 years of experience working with various levels [...]

If You Build It, They Might Not Come

Communities struggling to maintain their economies often buy into the belief that if they build it, the people will come.  That is, by focusing on physical improvements, the hope is that consumers, businesses and investors will inevitably flock to town.  Viewed this way, the point is obvious, but many communities have implemented massive physical improvement projects thinking that their work [...]

Are You Marketing Your Local History?

It’s summer, tourist season, and when you’re not showing family and friends around your region, you just might be out exploring it yourself.
People love local history.   And while the means of attracting visitors to places may have changed, the main attraction typically has not … it’s the stories, characters and history that create and help shape a particular place.
Local [...]

Love to Love You, Baby

Small communities are like babies, they need lots of attention from caring people in order to flourish.

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