Our New E-book is a Blueprint for a Community Your Kids Won't Have to Leave

How can we build the kind of community where our kids won't feel they have to go elsewhere to prosper? Check out our new e-book to find out.

Membership, Resource Trap, Top StoryStrong TownsJune 9, 2021membership, member drive, Resource Trap - Case Studies

Musselshell Watershed: Centered on the Next Generation

The generational ranch model has been wobbling since WWII, but here's how one small community in Montana is keeping grazing land as working lands, as well as bolstering opportunities for young producers.

Resource Trap, Community, Success Story, Rural, Top StorySamuel WesternJune 3, 2021resource trap, RBC Series, series, montana, rural, agriculture, success stories, community, Resource Trap - Case Studies

Big Horn County, Montana: Leaving Coal Behind

Natural resources have been a mixed bag for Big Horn County, Montana, but local Crow (Apsáalooke) leaders are working to turn the narrative around.

Resource Trap, Community, Economic Development, Success Story, Top StorySamuel WesternJune 2, 2021resource trap, RBC Series, montana, community, education, tourism, series, Resource Trap - Case Studies

Sandpoint, Idaho: Walking the Line

Moving past a commodity-based economy is not for the faint of heart. See how this community in Idaho has begun welcoming new (sometimes even weird) ideas on how to do so.

Resource Trap, Economic Development, Success Story, Top StorySamuel WesternJune 1, 2021resource trap, RBC Series, Idaho, local business, business, Resource Trap - Case Studies

Break Out of the Resource Trap with a Strong Towns Approach

Communities in decline face a great deal of work if they hope to someday become stronger towns. Remember that it is a process, not a destination. Here’s how you can begin.

Community, Economic Development, Marohn, Resource Trap, Top StoryCharles MarohnMay 28, 2021resource trap, RBC Series, community, main street, Traditional Main Street, Resource Trap - Core Content

Reinforce the Main Street Ecosystem in Your Place

Resource-focused cities of the past built wealth in a downtown core surrounded by neighborhoods. Here’s how to recreate that ecosystem in your place, today.

Community, Economic Development, Marohn, Resource Trap, Top StoryCharles MarohnMay 27, 2021resource trap, RBC Series, community, main street, Traditional Main Street, Resource Trap - Core Content

Accelerate Success in Your Place with Economic Gardening

Conventional economic development practice focuses on recruiting new businesses to relocate to the community. In reality, the most stable and prosperous businesses are those that are homegrown.

Economic Development, Marohn, Resource Trap, Strategies, Top StoryCharles MarohnMay 21, 2021RBC Series, Economic Gardening, local economy, resource trap, local business, how to, Resource Trap - Core Content

Communities Need to Make Space for Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship plays an important role in building prosperous local communities. Here are some steps for creating a more active ecosystem of entrepreneurs in your place.