Doing More With What You Have: Lessons from Van Buren, Maine | Local-Motive Tour

In small towns, meaningful progress often starts with modest projects that solve immediate problems and create new value over time. In this session, Luke Dyer, Town Manager of Van Buren, Maine, will share how his community has pursued low-cost, high-value opportunities for incremental development, turning overlooked assets and everyday challenges into practical improvements for residents.

Drawing from Van Buren’s experience, Luke will highlight several local projects and financial opportunities that have transformed public spaces, recreation, and even entrepreneurship within the community. These examples show how small, practical improvements can build momentum, strengthen community life, and make better use of the places a town already has.

This session will explore how municipal leaders can connect community needs, local assets, and financial realities to make steady progress without waiting for large grants, major development deals, or perfect conditions. Luke will also elaborate on Van Buren’s approach to vacant and underused spaces, and how small projects can help shift the way a community thinks about future redevelopment.

Participants will come away with practical ideas for identifying manageable opportunities, building momentum through visible wins, and creating stronger local places through incremental, financially grounded action.

--

Get a single-stop ticket to attend just this session, or get a round-trip ticket to attend all Local-Motive sessions for the fall 2026 tour.