May 12, 2025

173: From Possibilities to Reality: How to Save Your Small Town with Deb Brown

28 minutes

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson speaks with Deb Brown, co-founder of Save Your Town and author of "From Possibilities to Reality: How to Save Your Small Town." They discuss Brown's workbook-style approach to small town economic development, sharing practical examples of community revitalization, including movie theater revitalization as an economic driver. Brown offers insights on addressing resistance to change by exploring what people truly valued about their towns in the past, and provides actionable strategies for community members who want to make a difference in their small towns.

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Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers

Implement the "idea friendly method" to bypass traditional committee bureaucracy and mobilize community-driven economic development projects.

Organize "Tour of Empty Buildings" events to showcase vacant commercial spaces and connect potential business owners with available properties.

Focus on attracting and supporting local businesses to expand into empty downtown spaces rather than solely pursuing large outside employers.

Create accessible maps and resources that showcase available commercial properties to potential investors and entrepreneurs.

Engage residents outside the "usual suspects" (city officials, chamber members) by hosting informal idea-gathering sessions at local coffee shops or breweries.

When communities resist change, dig into what they specifically valued about the past to identify the core needs that modern solutions can address.

Develop sustainable business models for community assets (like movie theaters) that create real employment rather than relying exclusively on volunteers.

Establish clear pathways from idea generation to implementation that don't require formal committee formation or extensive bureaucratic processes.

Prioritize filling downtown vacancies with businesses that serve current community needs while preserving historical character.

Leverage success stories from similar small towns as proof-of-concept examples when pitching new development ideas to stakeholders and building owners.

Special Guest: Deb Brown.