Strength in Numbers Using Creativity and Teamwork to Keep Small Towns Viable

Strength in Numbers: Using Creativity and Teamwork to Keep Small Towns Viable

Posted on 10/09/2009

In news about rural America, it often seems like the have-nots outweigh the haves and it's easy to take a pessimistic view of the future of small towns. Some small communities are using their size to their advantage, taking a team approach and "branding" themselves to turn their town into a marketable commodity in order to survive.

These ideas are spreading and Damar, Kansas, located in Rooks County, is the perfect example. Although the 150-person population of this community can be counted in tens instead of tens of thousands, the citizens are working together to increase the value of their town.

At a recent Kansas Sampler Foundation "Bring Your Own Lawn Chair" event, ninety people from around the state gathered to hear local leadership describe the projects that are keeping this town afloat. The crowd sat in lawn chairs on Damar's main street as the mayor, the elementary school principal, members of the citizen leadership, and the county economic development director discussed the way they've been making changes. Together they have accomplished a variety projects, ranging from building a playground to improving city infrastructure. One of the state's most beautiful old churches has been restored while construction begins on a new community building.

Creative thinking can make rural communities viable from an economic standpoint and Damar has applied innovative strategies to keep traditional businesses viable. A local café has been able to remain operational thanks to a plan to sell community shares in the business. Teamwork is one of the themes of Damar's success and is evident in the way citizens work together to accomplish goals that benefit everyone. A group of local women organized a plan to paint a block of city buildings in French style and they have opened a coordinating gift shop named "Fleur de lis" to create a tourist attraction that generates income for the community.

The elementary school's enrollment has risen for the past five years, further evidence that Damar is on the way up instead of down. Attracting residents or even just keeping the existing citizens can be one of the most difficult challenges for rural communities and the increased enrollment is a positive indicator that Damar is doing something right.

Following the meeting's conclusion, the crowd left their lawn chairs to enjoy the attractions Damar has worked so hard to create. They toured the restored church, ate in the community-owned café, and shopped.

The Kansas Sampler Foundation organizes "Bring Your Own Lawn Chair" events as a means to educate Kansas Explorers Club members and the public about the value of rural communities. The Kansas Sampler Foundation has concluded their lawn chair events for the season but you can learn how to grab your own lawn chair at next season's events by visiting the Kansas Sampler Foundation website.