Every Thursday, I publish a special newsletter. It’s a personal conversation with me and over a thousand rural friends that gives you a positive view of rural business and small towns. If you don’t already get it, join us right here: I won’t ever sell or rent your email address to anyone else because I wouldn’t…
I got a call from a freelance reporter last week. She was assigned to write a positive story about the future of rural. Someone told her she should call me, so she did. It was hard, but I want you to know I showed some restraint, so I only kept her on the line for…
We’re looking for more examples of programs to connect rural youth to local jobs. Twitter friend Jenise Cook asked: I’m wondering if you and your rural small biz network might have some experience helping students/young people find work in their area, so that they don’t have to leave their towns to go live in huge…
Tony Guidroz, Director of Economic Development from San Saba, Texas, (population 2,600) shared his idea for a Blue Collar Career Fair at the LCRA Economic Development Forums, and I think every small town needs to start one. He is bringing heavy equipment operators, an HVAC contractor, a stone mason, a plumber, an electrician, a welder,…
Clint Kolby, Project Manager at Brenham (Texas) Economic Development Foundation, (population 16,000) shared this story at the recent LCRA Economic Development Forum where I was a speaker, and I knew you’d want to hear it, too. –Becky Through our Business Retention & Expansion Program (BREP) we were able to identify that the strongest and weakest…
It’s the million dollar question in small towns: how do we get more participation? Participation might mean volunteers, contributions, or even audience members. Volunteers kick off the Picture My WeekendPhotography event in Alva, Oklahoma. I get asked this every time I speak. It seems every town and organization, every festival and fair is dealing with…
A big trend in urban real estate is coming to small towns, to create a new opportunity to retain more young people. Young real estate buyers have made an epic shift, away from big suburban homes, and toward smaller spaces in walkable neighborhoods. I read about this first in Grist: Millennials not looking for McMansions…
The Millennial Generation may be one of the biggest trends that affects small towns. It is a huge generation, larger than the Baby Boomers. Millennials Robin Seth and Lauren Madrid Jack Schultz of BoomTown USA says they are the most entrepreneurial generation in history. Jon Swanson gives you an inside look into one Millennial, his son,…
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