Read, Watch & Grow
Each month we will be sharing thoughts and ideas that we believe will assist communities. These are conversations we hear every day in every community and are calling them the “13 Pathways to Success”. We will also be highlighting stories of successful community strategies which we like to call "Success In Progress". If you have an area where you feel stuck, reach out and let us know - We would love to help and write about it. Read BlogRead Success StoriesRead & Watch
Latest Blogs & Videos
It’s BUY local or it’s BYE local
We are all asking for a vaccine as a stocking stuffer, but that isn't likely so we will need to continue to be diligent and safe for this holiday season. The silver lining of this pandemic is the focus to support local businesses. As consumers we have a responsibility...
Unmasking the Opposition to Masks
If it’s not obvious by the title, I take issue with those opposed to wearing masks in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The anti-maskers make four basic arguments that may sound reasonable at first but are entirely illogical and irrational, if not patently absurd....
A New Homestead Act
The New Homestead Act To help rural communities prosper in the 21st Century, we can perhaps find inspiration from the 19th Century. More than 150 years ago, both the United States and Canada introduced legislation to open up their western territories by giving away...
Read about Local Community Success Stories
Success In Progress Stories
Beaumont Rides Autonomous Vehicle Into Limelight
Years from now, Mayor John Stewart says confidently, this time will be seen as a turning point in Beaumont’s history. Not only did the Alberta community officially achieve city status in 2019, Beaumont recently hosted the first self-driving vehicle on public streets...
No Community is an Island
We are often our own worst enemy. When our community runs into trouble our instinctive reaction is to look for solutions in isolation rather than in collaboration. Recently, a group of communities including the Town of Hanna, the Village of Youngstown and a region...
Marianna Borough
Blight a major issue facing rural communities Originally Published by The Observer-Reporter A home along Seventh Street in Marianna that will be one of several demolished. Photo by Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter Marianna Borough sits quietly, unobtrusively in...