MPR: The Future of Small Towns: Idea Generator: Idea detail and comments

Categories : People : Economic opportunity : Human services : Telecommunications : Transportation : Social/cultural opportunities : Education : Government & policy : Other

Idea for: Social/cultural opportunities

Collectively market small town assets
Small towns have many assets, but marketing and promotion knowhow isn't one of them.

We are working on ways to collectively market the assets of many individual communities and create a regional identity through activities like the Meander Upper Minnesota River Arts Crawl, the Green Routes Sustainable Tourism Brochure, Recreational Trail Development and Guided River Trips.

Many of these ideas grew out of the interaction between private businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies. It is absolutely necessary that all three of these entities be at the table when advancing projects like this.

NGO's have the passion, volunteers and new ideas. Businesses know how to sell and how to keep it real. Governments have legitimacy and insitutional resources. Small towns have to learn to get over traditional sports rivalries and county lines to work together to survive. By creating vital connections with the outside world and deepening our sense of place, we will survive.

From Patrick Moore of Montevideo, MN on 05/25/05

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Every weekday Twin Cities residents are subject to a barrage of advertisement exhorting them to spend their money at major retailers.

I applaud efforts by rural Minnesota to go after a piece of this buy, and encourage Twin Citians to make some of their everyday purchases on the road to help our small towns. (www.thebulls-eye.blogspot.com)

From Jamie Wellik of Golden Valley, MN on 06/08/05

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I moved here from Luverne MN 2 years ago. I have been thinking over time what it is about this town that I just don't really care for. The main thing would be that this small town does not have a building inspector for the properties here.There are houses run down, abandoned. There are sidewalks that need to be maintained. My children and I have to walk on the street, not to mention that they are not all handicap accessible. The town does offer summer programs for kids and a pool. thank you

From susan gustaf of slayton, MN on 06/08/05

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From VIctoria Ford of Saint Paul, MN on 06/07/05

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I have helped work on this idea, by sitting on a board for the Art Meander and have seen slow and steady support and encouragement from our 5 county area.The Upper Minn. River Art Meander was suprisingly successful the first year and twice as many artists and businesses are involved this year. One must look for ways to create success and sustainability when we live in such a beautiful area of the state.

From JO Pederson of GRANITE falls, MN on 05/25/05

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