Thoughts On Small Town Survival | "Rebuilding Your Community"

We're at a crossroads friends, finding ourselves smack in the middle of an unfamiliar and challenging reality, as all across the globe, communities are seeing economic activity come to a halt. It's a little surreal and strangely odd to see retail stores and restaurants closing down, and cancellation of events and normal activities feels as if we are witnessing the chaotic hubbub of daily life slowing to a state of virtual paralysis. While it's easy to become discouraged and worried about our businesses, neighborhoods and people, there is at the same time an option to see opportunities for a new focus on rebirth and reinvention.

Perhaps you too are brainstorming ideas to unite your community and bring people together after the shutdown, or maybe you've been searching online for suggestions which can inspire others. Inviting a variety of individuals (residents, local leaders and business owners) to join an email listing or online forum could be the first step towards encouraging participation. When our area businesses reopen they will need the support of our dollars and spending choices more than ever before, and I've been wondering how we might begin to encourage a "focus on local" effort. And then this morning I stumbled across an excellent article which made me pause and think about using this time wisely: "10 Things Successful Small-town Downtowns Do". AH HA! Perhaps this is the key to identify fresh new ideas to guide our town into a lively and vibrant rebirth!

Disclaimer: I think it's important to point out that some of you may be a little skeptical, perhaps thinking right now isn't exactly the best time to launch a new project or seek financial and volunteer support. I get that! The reason I feel you'll get excited about the future and eager to come up possibilities is the range of ideas outlined that can be implemented with varying levels of intensity. Example: suggestion #5 on beautification and curb appeal is a topic we can probably agree improves an area visually. While an extravagant streetscaping process may be out of the question right now, could the project be scaled down to manageable objectives? Let's not overlook the benefits of a community clean-up (which could even take place while social distancing guidelines apply), efforts encouraging store owners and residents to take individual responsibility for areas bordering a public space, or the impact of a cohesive look achieved by similar plants and flags.


I'm thinking once you read the suggestions in the article you'll be excited and inspired too. Why not start two lists, the first made up of achievable short-term goals as well as bigger projects for the future? I'd like to also mention point #9 (an often-overlooked concept, I believe), of simply getting started - because growth is a continual process which works best by just....beginning. Whatever ideas you come up with, do not get discouraged if they don't take shape immediately. Start where you are and use what you have, right?

I hope this post inspires you to get excited about an effort to energize your neighborhood. Feedback or ideas? Visit my Facebook page to share your thoughts. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day!


Andrea Baumann
Marketing Delmarva

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