Like many of you, I grew up in a small town. While I don’t live there anymore, I cherish memories of Christmas parades, fan-filled gymnasiums and unrelenting support for those in need.
You don’t have to look too hard to see rural America is in crisis, and people are fleeing for the big cities. Yet you can find just as many examples of small towns undergoing makeovers and becoming vibrant economies.
“There’s more than hope residing in rural America,” says Andrew McCrea, radio host and author of “Total Town Makeover.” “There are qualities in these areas that can’t be experienced anywhere else.”
McCrea has studied numerous small towns. He says the towns that are thriving have community members (which include many farmers) who give their money, time or talent.
“Farmers can be key parts of local grassroots efforts to form community betterment initiatives, serve on boards or start community foundations,” he says. “They can also support their towns in their estate plans by donating a portion of their wealth to their town.”
Here are some ideas from McCrea to consider for your community:
- Does your town have an endowment or funding sources to provide seed money for projects? Just as a person needs a savings account, endowments serve the same purpose for a town.
- Do you have a group leading the way, or are separate groups pulling in different directions? Try to form a coordinated group.
- Does the community have short- and long-term goals? People want to know the vision before they buy in.
- Are you using newspapers and social media to communicate? Provide progress updates and show pictures.
Find information, resources and Andrew’s book, “Total Town Makeover.”
I’ve been so inspired by McCrea’s work. He will share his findings about reviving small towns at the 2022 Top Producer Summit. Register at TPSummit.com. Please join us!
