Tag: small town

Small Towns: The Heartbeat of America

Small Towns: The Heartbeat of America

While big cities typically steal the spotlight, there’s a quiet magic to small towns, especially those sprinkled across the golden plains of Iowa. These communities are more than just places on a map; they’re vibrant locations where everyone plays a role. Here’s why small towns, like those in Iowa, are the unsung heroes of American life.

The Power of Neighbors Helping Neighbors:

In small towns, volunteers are the foundation. From coaches cheering on little league teams to helping hands at a local church or food pantry, these acts of kindness keep communities running. Residents come together for park clean-up days, ensuring beautiful green spaces for everyone to enjoy. This kind of hands-on involvement fosters a sense of shared responsibility and pride in where you live.

Local Businesses: The Pillars of Community

Small-town businesses are more than just storefronts; they’re community partners. By financially supporting local organizations and initiatives, they ensure there are engaging activities for all ages. This creates a sense of belonging and provides essential services for residents. Think movie nights in the park sponsored by the local bank, or art supplies for the school funded by the hardware store. It’s this kind of local investment that keeps the heart of the community beating.

Looking Out for Each Other: A Tight-Knit Community

Small towns offer a unique sense of community. Neighbors know each other, and when someone is facing adversity, the whole town rallies. A casserole appears on the doorstep for a family going through a health crisis, or a fundraiser is organized to help someone experiencing financial hardship. This genuine concern for one another strengthens the social fabric and creates a safety net for those in need.

Wearing Many Hats: A Diverse Range of Activities

One of the hidden advantages of small towns is the sheer variety of activities available. Students and adults alike can be involved in a multitude of organizations. From sports leagues and theater productions to historical societies and book clubs, there’s something for everyone. This allows individuals to explore their interests, develop new skills, and connect with others who share their passions.

In a world that often feels impersonal, small towns offer a refreshing alternative. They’re a testament to the power of community, where neighbors become friends, and everyone contributes to a shared sense of well-being. So next time you drive through a charming Iowa town, take a moment to appreciate the small-town spirit that makes these places so special.

Why We Created ‘Evolution of the Heartland’

While the magic of small towns is undeniable to those who experience it firsthand, capturing that essence and conveying it to outsiders can be a challenge. That’s why we created ‘Evolution of the Heartland’. We know there’s a misconception that there’s “nothing to do” in small towns. Evolution of the Heartland aims to disprove that stereotype by showcasing the unique assets that set these communities apart.

Here’s what makes small towns in Iowa, and the Evolution of the Heartland initiative, so special:

Experiences You Can’t Find Anywhere Else: Evolution of the Heartland isn’t about cookie-cutter experiences you can find anywhere. It’s about immersing yourself in the unique character of each community. Imagine touring a cutting-edge agricultural operation, and then sampling delicious local cuisine made with farm-to-table ingredients. Or picture yourself volunteering alongside friendly residents at a community park clean-up day, followed by an evening stroll through a community farmer’s market that features many locally-owned businesses. These are the kinds of authentic experiences offered by Evolution of the Heartland.
A Celebration of Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Small towns in Iowa aren’t stuck in the past. Evolution of the Heartland highlights the dynamism and innovation happening in these communities. From sustainable farming practices to thriving small businesses, there’s a spirit of progress that fuels the local economy and creates a vibrant environment.
Strong Agricultural Roots, High Quality of Life: The rich agricultural heritage of Iowa is a cornerstone of its small towns. Evolution of the Heartland connects you to these roots, showcasing the dedication to producing high-quality food, fuel, and fiber, while fostering a strong sense of community. The focus on quality of life and the pursuit of a balanced and healthy lifestyle is often envied by city dwellers.

Evolution of the Heartland goes beyond showcasing attractions; it’s about capturing the essence of small-town life. It’s about the feeling of belonging, the chance to get involved, and the opportunity to experience a unique way of life. If you’re curious to discover the heartland’s hidden potential, head to https://www.evolutionoftheheartland.com/ and see for yourself why small towns in Iowa are anything but ordinary.

Revitalize Your Downtown

Do you need actionable ideas to breathe life into your downtown? My recent trip to Rapid City, South Dakota turned out to be a work study experience I hadn’t anticipated!

Our family set-up camp in Rapid City for four days, as it was central to nearly everything we wanted to see and do. I hadn’t really thought about what we might do in Rapid because we had big plans to go everywhere else! Hot Springs, Custer, Keystone, Deadwood and more. Our trip was already going to be jam-packed full of fun.

As it turns out, we still had a couple mornings and late evenings that we wanted to fill, so we ventured out.

It all started with me not wanting to make breakfast one morning so I searched for the best breakfast place in Rapid with the best and most reviews. Up popped Tally’s Silver Spoon in the downtown area with a score of 5 and nearly 600 reviews! You can’t beat that! I also recalled that they had an Art Alley that I wanted to see, so off we drove to downtown.

As we pulled into their downtown district the first thing that caught our eye were these incredible bronze president statues! So we all hop out of the car, stuffed animals from Bear Country U.S.A. in hand, and start our tour around every block to get photos with each and every president!

Then we head down to the awe-inspiring Art Alley and take in the messages of these talented artists who have transformed what used to be a grungy alleyway. Then we were off to grab breakfast, all in a walkable downtown space.

Turns out the chef at Tally’s studied in France and Italy and the menu featured many unique dishes that were fantastic!

After breakfast we headed out to get more pictures with presidents and we stumbled upon some great shopping. I wasn’t really equipped to take advantage of it with 3 kids, but knew I needed to come back sometime and explore! Then we happened upon an incredible downtown Main Street Square! It was magnificent!

The kids were instantly drawn to the water features. I loved the ambiance, many umbrella’d tables, great architecture, turf with no dirt, mud or unsightly weeds, a performing stage complete with great lighting, restaurants with outdoor seating (including an ice cream shop), a parking garage next door, and it was complete with a cute little train for the kids.

It wasn’t too long after we arrived that I began to think…heck, we could spend all day here. THIS is a place I want to be, morning, noon and night!!

Despite it being a mid-week day at about 10am in May, there were still a handful of people there. I could only imagine how bustling it would be on a warm day/night at peak tourism season. I could tell the locals loved hanging out there and people of all ages would converge in the same space.

As we went to leave, we saw notices that the street near the area would be closed that evening for ‘Summer Nights’. We were intrigued. So after spending a whole day on the road visiting all the great sights, we came back to Rapid around 8:30pm and just had to check it out.

We drove to the area and there were 2 separate concerts going on in 2 places downtown and there had to be at least 500-750 people (and we arrived late!) Admission = FREE!! Even better in my book!!

The main stage featured up-and-coming artist, Brandon Jones, and the streets were full of people of all ages dancing, drinking and conversing. This was the first in a series of Summer events that would happen every Thursday throughout the summer. What a great way to activate your downtown!

Even though you may be thinking, sure…a big city can easily do this, it has actually only been a few years that Rapid City has seen this revitalization. Although Rapid City boasts a population of nearly 70,000, they also struggled with how to attract people to their downtown. Tourists didn’t have a reason to go downtown. The businesses struggled and they weren’t capturing even a small percentage of the tourism dollars they were capable of securing.

One of the foremost leaders in downtown revitalization is Roger Brooks and the Destination Development Association. I could see many of his recommendations at work in this great downtown so I wasn’t surprised that his article came up when I googled ‘downtown revitalization tips!’

This article from Roger details the struggles that Rapid City was facing just a few years ago and how an investment in their downtown has been transformational for their businesses and community as a whole. https://www.destinationdevelopment.org/articles/what-comes-first-when-revitalizing-downtown-and-what-is-place-making

Here are a few of the photos I captured while hanging out in this incredible space and the takeaways that your community should consider as you look to revitalize your downtown!

To start things off, I thought this downtown sign was a great reminder of the impact of spending money locally.

It’s true…spend your dollars on Main Street instead of big box stores and online,and that small shift alone can make a tremendous impact on your community!

1. Artwork and Creative Spaces