Attract Families and Grow Your Community

Is your community facing a declining population, particularly young families? This section offers practical solutions and inspiring stories to help you attract families and create a vibrant, welcoming environment. Explore successful initiatives like community gardens, family-friendly events, and after-school programs that foster a sense of belonging and connection. Discover how communities have revitalized schools and parks, making them family destinations. Remember, a thriving community caters to all ages, and by focusing on family-friendly initiatives, you can play a crucial role in attracting new residents and ensuring a brighter future for your town.

Dieterich, Illinois: From Brink to Boom - How Dieterich Leveraged Tax Increment Financing to Build New Homes

Category: Build Homes, Bring Families, Dieterich

In the face of a declining population threatening their school district, Dieterich, Illinois, rallied its efforts to rejuvenate through housing initiatives. Led by the Dieterich Community Development Corporation (DCDC) and Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs, they launched the MAPPING program to reshape their future. Skillfully utilizing Tax Increment Financing (TIF)...

Great Bend, Kansas: Innovative Approach to Welcome New Residents

Category: Main Street, Great Bend, Build Homes, Bring Families

Great Bend, Kansas, is tackling revitalization with a two-pronged attack, and it's working! Their innovative programs are breathing new life into their hometown.Program 1: Welcoming Back Hometown TalentThe Come Home Reverse Scholarship program takes a unique approach. Administered by the Golden Belt Community Foundation, it offers scholarships to attract former...

Mattoon, Illinois: Beyond the Rails - A Town's Remarkable Tourist Transformation

Category: Attract Tourists, Mattoon, Inspire Future Leaders, Bring Families

Mattoon, Illinois, boasts a story of resilience and reinvention. Founded in 1855 as a bustling rail hub, Mattoon thrived for decades. However, like many Midwestern towns, it faced challenges due to globalization in farming and manufacturing. Undeterred, Mattoon embarked on a journey of transformation. Focused on improving the quality of...

Woodbine, Iowa: At the Junction of Family and Community Values

Category: Bring Families, Woodbine

Simply put, life is good in Woodbine! Just as the Western Skies Scenic Byway and the Lincoln Highway Heritage Byway converge in this small, western Iowa town, families are drawn to the merger of a focused community and ample recreation with a first-rate education system and a variety of housing...