Hello, John 

 

 

The places that will make the best comeback from the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting economic strains are those that are built on a foundation of local entrepreneurship. So writes Strong Towns founder Chuck Marohn this week.

 

This means that when the dust settles, we need to stop tilting the playing field against local businesses, and start tearing down the barriers between them and success. We need to show them preference over the investor companies that will take their bailout money and, when their profits aren't cutting it, leave our towns without a second thought.

 

These kinds of cultural shifts don't come easily, even when the data clearly suggest they will help. That's why it's desperately important that we use this time to band together and shout the Strong Towns message louder than ever: We need to build places that value fiscal resilience over efficiency. (You can read more about the pitfalls of efficiency in the extreme in this story by Strong Towns Member Tony Dutzik.)

 

As we pursue this cultural shift, we are so thankful to our newest supporting members: Connie Bozarth, Megan Bridger-Darling, Mark Adams, Jean Brooks, Katherine DeKrey, Anthony Carfang, Dustin Shane, Julie Raymond, Traci Quigg Thomas, Carol Kraus, Gordon Hansen, and Peter Dudka. Welcome, all of you, to the movement!

 

To help you spread the word, we're hosting a series of free webinars focusing on how to build resilient places. You can learn more about each webinar, and their corresponding Ask Me Anything sessions with Strong Towns team members and friends, here.

 

We'll see you soon.

 

—Lauren at Strong Towns