What actually drives economic development in small towns? In this episode, Bob Wurl shares how community banking, long-term thinking, and a willingness to act—not just plan—have shaped his own small town's success. It's a practical look at what happens when people stop waiting for change and start building it themselves

About Bob: Bob Wurl grew up in Hankinson, ND. He holds a B.S.B.A. degree with a major in Accounting from University of North Dakota and completed the Graduate School of Banking Program at the University of Wisconsin in 1995.

He has 45 years of banking experience, serving 30 years as President & CEO of Lincoln State Bank, Hankinson; currently CEO and Board Chair.

Wurl serves as:

• Treasurer of the Hankinson CDC

• Secretary of the Lake Agassiz Regional Development Corporation Board & Chair of Loan Committee

• Board member and Secretary of Southeast Senior Services and Richland County Council on Aging

• Vice Chairman of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hankinson and Chairman of the Endowment Fund Committee.

• Advocate for Project 24 / Christ's Care for Children – Kenya

In this episode, we cover:

• Why community banks play a bigger role in economic development than most people realize

• How Hankinson shifted from chasing big industry to building sustainable local growth

• What it really takes to keep Main Street alive (hint: sometimes you have to buy the building yourself)

• How to think about generational transitions without defaulting to "kids these days."

• A simple but powerful mindset shift: focus on who shows up, not who doesn't

Links + Resources Mentioned: Hankinson ND: www.hankinsonnd.com , Lincoln State Bank: www.lsbhank.com, Christ's Care for Children: www.lcms.org/ccck

Want to get your business in front of our audience? We are looking for podcast sponsors! Each season, we feature a select group of Small Business Partners—brands that share our mission to celebrate small-town life and big ideas. With a 4–6% average Facebook engagement rate (well above the industry average), 2,600+ loyal followers, and 45,000 monthly content views, we have an amazing, highly engaged audience of people who can't wait to learn more about you. When we feature you, your story, and your product/service, it's like a friend's recommendation, because it is. Want to know more? Reach out to us at [email protected] We have a membership! Join the GST Club — a virtual support community built for those leading change in small-town America. For $30/month, you'll get twice-monthly live calls with Rebecca, access to a private network of fellow small-town changemakers, replay recordings, frameworks, and early access to GST events. It's for anyone from volunteers and entrepreneurs to city officials who believe small towns deserve big ideas and better leadership. Part think-tank. Part pep-talk. Part creative jam session. All support.

We Want to Hear From You! We really, really do, and if you'll let us, we'd love to feature your actual message just like we did with Terri's (with your permission, of course!) Some of the best parts about radio shows and podcasts are listener call-ins, so we've decided to make those a part of the Growing Small Towns Podcast. We really, really want to hear from you! We're have two "participation dance" elements of the show:

1. "Small town humblebrags": Call in and tell us about something amazing you did in your small town so we can celebrate with you. No win is too small—we want to hear it all, and we will be excessively enthusiastic about whatever it is! You can call in for your friends, too, because giving shout-outs is one of our favorite things.

2. "Solving Your Small-Town People Challenges": Have a tough issue in your community? We want to help. Call in and tell us about your problem, and we'll solve it on an episode of the podcast. Want to remain anonymous? Totally cool, we can be all secretive and stuff. We're suave like that.

If you've got a humblebrag or a tricky people problem, call 701-203-3337 and leave a message with the deets. We really can't wait to hear from you!

Get In Touch Have an idea for a future episode/guest, have feedback or a question, or just want to chat? Email us at [email protected]

Subscribe + Review Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of The Growing Small Towns Show! If the information in our conversations and interviews has helped you in your small town, head out to Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or Spotify, subscribe to the show, and leave us an honest review. Your reviews and feedback will not only help us continue to deliver relevant, helpful content, but it will also help us reach even more small-town trailblazers just like you!