Anywhere Can Be Somewhere (and Other Walking Lessons)

When it comes to creating strong neighborhoods, there are some valuable lessons to be had from slowing down the pace and seeking novelty in the ordinary.

Community, Herriges, Neighborhoods, Public Space, Top StoryDaniel HerrigesJuly 15, 2021neighborhood, community, Florida, Neighborhoods, public space, gardening, walkability

Pete Davis: The Case for Commitment in an Age of “Infinite Browsing”

The advice to “keep your options open” is having a negative impact on our cities. Here’s why.

Podcast, Community, Top Story, ST PodcastStrong TownsJuly 12, 2021Podcast, Pete Davis, Harvard, books, local politics

My Neighborhood's Summer Experiment in Building a Strong Town

In the summer, my neighbors invite things to happen that they will oppose most any other time of the year. It’s the best part of being here.

Community, Marohn, Neighborhoods, Top StoryCharles MarohnJune 21, 2021community, community building, neighborhood, Brainerd MN

Housing, Not Lodging

Annapolis's downtown has become dominated by short-term rentals, and it’s beginning to degrade the community’s social capital.

Member Post, Community, Housing, Neighborhoods, Top StoryAlex PlineJune 16, 2021housing, tourism, social capital, downtown, Alex Pline, annapolis

The Stock Market Is Not the Economy

If we want to have meaningful conversations about "the economy" and how it affects everyday people, then our focus needs to shift from macro to local.

Community, Economic Development, Top StoryNick MathewsJune 15, 2021local business, small business, community, economic development, MainVest, coronavirus

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

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

Build Community Wealth with Incremental Investment

We must stop building more infrastructure in our cities and switch instead to a model of intensive maintenance, combined with making better use of what has already been built.

#DotheMath, Community, Economic Development, Incrementalism, Maintenance, Marohn, Top StoryCharles MarohnMay 26, 2021resource trap, RBC Series, incremental growth, incrementalism, community, little bets, resilience, 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.