2024 Takeaway For Small Towns Across Canada

The year 2024 was another big one for Your Town Rising working across Canada with small towns on revitalization, marketing, and placemaking efforts. We've compiled our list of favourite takeaways for small-town inspiration in 2024:

Leslie:
Great places understand that revitalization is about hundreds and hundreds of small projects. There's no 'silver bullet' event or attraction to save a small town. Community building happens day-in, day-out with constant attention to the spaces, buildings, environment and people around us. Start with litter and invite others to join you in a street clean up. Seriously. Because it’s all of our jobs to care about the appearance of our town.

Gregg:
Where is your town on the Likeability vs Loveability Scale? To make a town loveable, you need to cultivate a sense of pride and shared identity that resonates with residents. Focus on actions that grow relationships, preserve local culture, and create spaces where people feel at home. Striving to make your town loveable transforms it into more than just a location. It becomes a cherished part of everyone’s story... and attracts more visits.
Leslie:
Towns will ‘rise up’ when the community feels empowered and takes an active role in revitalization. Each citizen can shift the “They should" mindset, to “I can / We can". Have an idea or concern? Try a coffee meet up in a relaxed setting. Chat together about your hopes and dreams. Brainstorm ways to move forward with immediate small steps. And then just start. No reports needed!

Gregg:
When considering new events for your town try to think out-of-the-box. Offering something different will set your town apart in a sea of sameness. Unique events that reflect your town’s distinct character, history, or community spirit can spark curiosity and make your town a destination people talk about and return to. You'll help generate more Excited Word-of-Mouth rather than General Word-of-Mouth. A big difference!

Leslie:
Be willing to experiment, get creative (and falter). Want to add public art downtown, but you fear vandalism? Find inexpensive ways to get started and test the waters. Old painted frames, plywood boards, donated pieces of Coroplast are easily accessible, low-cost materials. If vandalism occurs, take the piece down, tweak the location and put something right back up! Shut down the ‘vandalism narrative’ with positive action, over and over again. And watch vandalism fade away.

Gregg:
It’s essential to step outside the familiar to view your town through the eyes of a first-time visitor. Familiarity can blind us to untapped potential. Honest conversations are a must! A visitor brings a fresh perspective, noticing things that locals overlook, including opportunities to showcase your unique character. Inviting someone from outside will foster a deeper understanding of how your town is perceived, to be able to pinpoint the actions that will make a meaningful impact.

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