Do you know your small town is a treasure trove of history and charm? Unfortunately, time and time again, small towns are abandoned in favor of larger cities. With so many people flocking to the big city daily, these communities struggle to stay alive. But with a little bit of creativity and local ingenuity, your town can not only survive, but it can also thrive. Read this article to find out ways you can grow your town.
1. Sponsor or Organize an Event
Many small towns have annual festivals, community days, and other events that generate a lot of excitement. It’s important to boost these events by sponsoring or organizing one of your own. The event will be an opportunity to build relationships and maybe even a client base.
2. Employing Local Workers
Another great way to improve your small town is to employ people from the town. You can do this by providing jobs or internship programs for the young people in town so that they can learn valuable skills and continue to support the community.
As long as you provide work that pays a living wage, it’s not only great for the young people but also for you and the community as a whole because instead of people having to leave to find jobs, they will be able to stay in their hometown and continue their lives there.
3. Set Up a Booth in the Town Square
Offer your products, services, and merchandise in exchange for donations to charity. Put on a raffle of prizes or go door-to-door and offer items such as lawnmowers, barbecue grills, a bottle of Monterey Chardonnay, or other products that people typically buy at your business. By asking everyone to donate money before they enter the event, you can increase the cash you raise and have them return during subsequent celebrations.
4. Providing Opportunities for the Youth
Many towns have a local community center, church, or other organization that is a great place to host community events and activities. The youth in your town can take part in this program and grow their skills while they are there. All you have to do is brainstorm ways to strategically use the space and benefit everyone in the town.
5. Bring Back the Arts
Of course, great art is hard to come by in small towns. This means that many small towns don’t host many events like art exhibits, movies, or other types of creative programs. This doesn’t mean you can’t bring the arts to town. You can create a small art gallery or do other creative events with your local community.
6. Pay Your Taxes
Many small towns are experiencing financial problems because they can’t afford to keep up with the community’s growing needs. One way to help is to pay your taxes in full and on time because this will keep the town afloat and build on its economy.
7. Donating Time
Another great way to help your small town is by donating your time and energy to local causes. If you have extra time and want to do something positive for your community, consider volunteering at a local organization or helping out with a local fundraiser.
8. Encourage Entrepreneurship
Many small towns with financial problems also have other issues like high unemployment, low diversity, and a generally unhappy population. One thing you can do is encourage people to take chances. You can do this by providing classes on starting your own business for people who want to start their shop or start their own event planning company.
9. Work With Local Organizations
One of the saddest facts about many small towns is that they don’t have enough local organizations or activities. This means that your town may be lacking in classes, programs, and other events that encourage community growth. You can do this by helping your local school system become more connected to the town and creating opportunities for students to volunteer or get involved in the community.
There are many ways to help your small town thrive, but the main thing is to be creative. After all, it’s impossible to predict what new industry or idea will come along in your town and make it thrive. The best way to help is to be proactive and recognize that your small town has great potential; don’t just focus on the problems. See how you can be a part of something great that’s happening right now.
