Strongest Town 2023, Round 3: Jackson, TN vs. Brattleboro, VT
Welcome to the third round match-up in the eighth annual Strongest Town Contest! This time, four towns are facing off, and two will advance to the championship round based on your votes. We invite you to review commentary from Strong Towns members about why they think each of the contestants are doing the work to make their communities stronger and more financially resilient—then vote for the strongest candidate!
Can’t decide? If you’re looking for inspiration, check out how we describe the Strong Towns approach.
You may vote once per match-up. Round three voting closes at noon CT on Thursday, April 6. For rules, and to follow along with the contest, visit the Strongest Town Contest page.
Note: All entries are lightly edited for clarity and readability.
VOTING FOR THIS ROUND IS NOW CLOSED. RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY, April 7.
JACKSON, TN
Commentary by Tarlton Ferrin.
What is one thing about this city (or that this city is doing) that most reflects a Strong Towns approach?
To me, it is evident that the city of Jackson is really focused on observing the needs of their residents and pursuing initiatives that provide them with real benefits, while simultaneously strengthening their city in the long term. Each of these initiatives may seem relatively small but together, they synergistically combine into a cohesive fabric of opportunity for their place and people. They are allowing more opportunities for people through eliminating parking minimums, allowing greater mixed uses through zoning reform, allowing more people to have businesses in their home, and establishing ADU options. Specifically, their vision to establish a greenway network that includes five walkable centers really resonates with me as a brilliant path forward, because this consolidates these many efforts in real space. Over time, these focused value-creation centers, as they mature, may also serve to start lifting each other up by forming a connected network. If I had to reduce all of this down to one idea, I think it would be how over time, their integrated built environment will materially reflect and capture their integrated planning vision and organic bottom-up efforts in an inspiring parallel.
What is one thing that seems to you to be an obstacle or challenge to this city’s present or future financial strength and resilience?
Like nearly every American city, I think Jackson will continue to face different degrees of financial pressures related to their urban infrastructure, due to future financial storms and/or aging infrastructure. The timing of establishing their budget committee and internal auditor was prescient, and while I can’t imagine there ever being a great time to try to implement a major accounting software upgrade, getting that behind them will likely feel empowering. By working hard in these areas now, making the system reinforce responsible spending practices, and being able to really see their own financial numbers, they will have greater credibility when they are forced to navigate any financial challenges with their constituents. By getting ahead of their finances, they can better weather challenges that come up and respond in ways that can really help residents improve their financial positions.
What is one question you would like to see us ask this town’s representatives?
I noticed on Jackson’s website that the city clearly differentiates between streets and roads, has a single engineering department that includes water and transportation functions, and that they have a dedicated street team as a separate department outside of engineering. Was this approach toward engineering and streets a recent development? Have they seen any specific benefits from approaching their engineering groups and streets this way?
Any final thoughts on this city's submissions for Round 1 and Round 2?
I liked how the photos they submitted featured their people and gave a sense of their community in different settings. I liked how many pictures showed people interacting on their streets and making their streets their own.
Tarlton Ferrin has been a resident of Tucson, Arizona, since 2011 and has been a Strong Towns member since 2021. He was privileged to work for the design firm M3 Engineering for over eight years and has engineering degrees from the University of Arizona. He received his EIT (Engineer in Training) certificate in Arizona in 2021. In 2023, his interests in urban planning and infrastructure collided with his experience in industrial layout design and water treatment plants in a new role at the City of Tucson in their Tucson Water Planning and Engineering Group. If you ever want to connect with someone to philosophically discuss invigorating topics such as zoning and corrosion, you can connect with Tarlton on LinkedIn.
BRATTLEBORO, VT
Commentary by Mark Nowotarski.
What is the one thing about this city (or that this city is doing) that most reflects a Strong Towns approach?
It is impressive to see how the community and leaders of Brattleboro are focused on their continued efforts to invest in their town, making it safer and more attractive for the benefit of the residents. It is difficult to pinpoint just one thing when you recognize everything that they are implementing around parking requirements, improving their current infrastructure, and beautification of their downtown. Even with that, if there is one area that stands out, it is the work they are doing to address incremental housing. Incremental housing is currently a major issue in most every city and town in the country. Working with the state of Vermont to develop and propose their Missing Middle Housing Overlay District and Missing Middle Infill Housing can potentially be a model for other communities.
What is the one thing that seems to be an obstacle or challenge in Brattleboro’s present or future financial strength and resilience?
The town leadership and planners have some lofty goals. While all of them may have merit and are important, my concern is that they try to accomplish more than what is feasible from both a financial perspective and completing everything as planned. I like their town meeting approach and engagement with residents, but in reviewing their Town Plan and Implementation Matrix, narrowing down a prioritization list with inputs from the residents would be beneficial.
What is the one question you would like to see Strong Towns ask Brattleboro’s representatives?
The one question I would have is with their current population of residents 65 and older at 24%, what is Brattleboro doing to attract young talent to stay or move to Brattleboro in order for the town to stay strong in the future?
Any final thoughts on Brattleboro’s submission for Round 1 and Round 2?
I think Brattleboro is a worthy contender for potentially being named 2023 Strongest Town. While they have identified a lot on their “to do” list, they have a lot of focus on continuing to improve their town. When going through their Town Plan, I was also impressed with their efforts around renewable energy source plan, energy conservation and efficiency, and natural resources—even to the extent the town has an Energy Committee and Conservation Commission.
Mark Nowotarski is a retired business/marketing/branding strategist. Mark is a member of the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU), the Freeway Fighters Group within CNU, Strong Towns, and co-leader for the Coalition Against the Mid-States Corridor. In 2022, Mark nominated Jasper, Indiana, where he lives, in the Strongest Town Contest. Working with the Mayor, City Planner, Chamber of Commerce, and other city leaders, Jasper was awarded as the 2022 Strongest Town. You can connect with Mark at 148markn@gmail.com.