The latest episode of Save Our Towns takes us to Jonesborough, Tennessee. While known as the “oldest town in Tennessee,” Jonesborough town leaders discovered that its real claim to fame was its rich tradition of storytelling. The expert tip comes from former mayor Jimmy Neil Smith, who began the first National Storytelling Festival in 1973… Continue Reading Season 4, Episode 5
Season 3, Episode 3
In this month’s Example of Awesome, we discover how leaders in Rocky Mount made their town a destination for music lovers by investing in a performance venue. Our Cleveland update details the big money that has been rolling into town–more than $2 million in grant dollars. We introduce a new segment, “Maxwell’s Number,” featuring graduate student… Continue Reading Season 3, Episode 3
Season 2, Special Edition: The Flint Crisis
We take a brief departure from Appalachia with this special episode from Flint, Michigan, where its water crisis could provide important lessons for leaders in small towns.
Season Two, Episode 2
This episode take a look at the border towns of Bluefield and the different ways the two towns reacted to overtures from Walmart, while in Pearisburg, mayor Robert Dickerson is working to fill vacant storefronts downtown. Our expert tip comes from Basil Gooden of the USDA Rural Development Program, and we hear about projects from… Continue Reading Season Two, Episode 2
Season Two, Episode 1
As we return for the second season of Save Our Towns, we visit Clifton Forge, where students from Virginia Tech’s College of Architectural and Urban Studies helped build a bridge connecting to the arts. We introduce Pearisburg, Virginia, the town we will follow throughout season two, and mayor Robert Dickerson discusses the importance of having… Continue Reading Season Two, Episode 1
Episode 9
We wrap up the first season of Save Our Towns with a look at Buchanan, Virginia, and its Hokie connections. The town is now renowned as one of the best places in the United States to buy antiques, but once had a less-than-stellar reputation. The team reached out to Virginia Tech’s Community Design Assistance Center for… Continue Reading Episode 9
Episode 8
In this month’s Example of Awesome segment, broadband leads to industry in Lebanon, Virginia, and we ask three questions of mayor Tony Dodi, who praises the virtues of technology in his tiny town. Our look at St. Paul brings sad news with the passing of young business owner Brock Funk. Funk and his wife, Terri,… Continue Reading Episode 8
Episode 6
In this month’s Example of Awesome, we highlight the resilience of Pulaski, where a group of local investors bought vacant buildings in hopes of revitalizing the downtown area. Our faculty interview comes from Reed Kennedy of the Pamplin College of Business, whose students drew up business plans for one Pulaski entrepreneur, and we ask three… Continue Reading Episode 6
Episode 2
In this episode, we see how leaders in Galax and the Twin Counties have worked towards job creation and training in their communities, while in St. Paul, mayor Kyle Fletcher talks about the importance of building tourism in his town, while Carroll County administrator Gary Larrowe offers an expert tip about the lessons that can… Continue Reading Episode 2