Walking into a coffee shop and being greeted by a friend is something that happens in smaller towns, and a joy that people associate with having a sense of community.
“It’s the genuine human interaction,” said John Vandlandingham, a long-time Flagstaff businessman. “I think it is healthy for the soul.”
Author Quint Studer studies what makes cities charming. In his book, “Building a Vibrant Community: How Citizen Powered Change is Reshaping America,” the Florida businessman and philanthropist points out that most vibrant small cities have great downtowns, unique small businesses and restaurants, a strong sense of community, many opportunities for civic engagement and events and festivals that bring the whole city together.
His book is a blueprint for citizens to help their community become a place where its residents, work, live, shop and play.
When he traveled as a hospital consultant, Studer began noticing the differences in cities.
“Some thrive. Some don’t. That is just the way it is,” he discovered.
But then he began to notice that the cities that were on the edge had big box stores, or one big business like GM, which gives them a false sense of security.
“Take away one of these and you have a city with declining population that is a place where people don’t want to start a business and where youth go away to college and don’t come back,” he said.
Studer lives in Pensacola, Florida, where there is a Naval base and wonderful beaches for tourists, but that was about it. It got him thinking.
He noticed the cities that were thriving had a number of attractions, not just one or two. And city leaders were committed to creating an environment that was healthy for small businesses. He also discovered that these cities had vibrant downtowns.
As the founder of Studer Community Institute, Studer has been helping to revitalize cities like Pensacola. The city has seen 25.9% growth in property values and has won several awards for its re-energized downtown.
“Flagstaff is a prime example of a small metropolitan area (more than 60,000 residents) that offers character, calm, ambience and a dedication to shop local,” said Julie Pastrick, president and CEO of the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce. “Here, residents care about the quality of life. When residents in small communities buy local, they have a sense of pride that they are keeping a business open, supporting families and jobs, and boosting the local economy.”
Successful smaller towns invest in the education system. “Really, what makes it better is that there is more opportunity for the community to be more involved in the schools.” said Zachery Fountain, director of communications for the Flagstaff Unified School District. “We see that on a daily basis. People are willing to give their time to participate and share real-world experience about the things we are teaching.”
For example, Fountain says local astronomers come talk to sixth graders about STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and math). Scientists who work at the Grand Canyon share their world of forestry and the natural wonders of the region.
“Parents who went to Camp Colton [an outdoor camping/learning experience] now want that experience for their kids,” he said. “They work to raise money for it.”
He notes the school district’s history: founded in a log cabin in 1883. “We still have that pioneering spirit. We can go from a log cabin to reaching for answers in the stars.”
Vanlandingham has a son who is going off to college this fall and who is amazed that so many people are approaching him and wishing him luck. The elder Vanlandingham is not surprised at all.
“They have known him since he was a toddler,” he said.
Vanlandingham has owned the Old Town Shops at Leroux and Birch for the past 20 years. He says he built his business slowly, customer by customer. “The advantage [of smaller towns] is that you know your customers and have long-term relationships with them,” he said.
Studer travels the country speaking to community leaders about how cities can reinvent themselves by teaching about citizen participation, downtown revitalization and getting support for small businesses and downtown.
“Hands down, small cities deliver the attributes that get lost in the hustle and bustle of big cities,” said Pastrick. “And when it’s all said and done, we all wish for more beautiful places on Earth and ways to nourish our body and soul. Small towns deliver more ways to experience the finer things in life and are perfect places to raise families.”
In addition to Building a Vibrant Community, Quint has authored seven books. He also writes columns for publications about community revitalization and small business leadership development. FBN
By Patty McCormac, FBN