


Tom Sarlo
Apr 21, 2023
Ireland
Categories:
Small Towns, Ireland, Rural, Economy, Consumers
How can the folks of Ireland help improve the small declining towns that were once thriving? The Irish Times reached out asking for suggestions on reversing the decline of small towns, and many readers responded.
In Ireland, many small-town folks are seeking a different world. That involves a drive to a more suburban environment with accessible parking and a wider variety of retail, restaurants, bars, and entertainment establishments. This trend goes beyond Ireland to other areas of the world. People like technology and social media. We live in a society tethered to our phones, and it seems long gone are the days when people gathered and conversed with others, even strangers. The socialization of small towns has evolved into a significant departure to newer developed areas.
The readers of The Irish Times responded by offering suggestions to bring these small towns back to a prosperous and socially vibrant time as folks once knew. They used examples of replacing vacant shops with residential for families and even the retired population. One suggestion came from far afield in a French town where retired folks received vouchers to spend in local businesses. That helped increase business and, at the same time, allowed seniors to interact and socialize. Others suggested adding more parking to make town shops easier to access. One purpose believed repurposing old rail lines into public transportation would bring visitors into town. Many thought giving new business owners reduced rents to allow them to grow their businesses was the way to go. One of the most common suggestions was to get housing back into the towns. Others wanted a more pedestrian-friendly town without traffic, making it safer for children and older people to walk. There was consensus that the local council must be on board if any effort would be successful. Town planners should look for funding opportunities, adopt new transportation systems, increase residential, offer services people want and need, and listen to the local folks.
Collectively, the readers provided great ideas and feedback, with plenty of ideas. All it took was a newspaper to reach out and ask for help. They indeed received an incredible outpouring of comment. Most folks want the heart of their small towns to beat again.
Small towns, any town, and main streets suffer from changing times. On a local level, what are some of the ways you can revitalize your small hometown? Here are a few suggestions from The New Hampshire (USA) Municipal Association.
1. Have a vision for the future of your town and entertain all the possibilities. Visioning is an excellent exercise for local officials, residents, and businesses.
2. Inventory assets. Every town has enduring assets that make it unique. What are they?
3. Build plans for the enhancement of those assets. How can they be leveraged in your future vision?
4. Use education and incentives, not just regulation.
5. Pick and choose among hypothetical development projects. Knowing what types of projects could make a difference helps the town remain focused if and when a potential investor comes forward with a plan.
6. Cooperate with neighbors for mutual benefit.
7. Pay attention to community aesthetics. Often overlooked and discounted in the quest to find an investor, this can damage the town in the long run.
8. Have strong leaders and committed citizens. Staying focused on a long-term future is always challenging, but staying the course is imperative. Those that do will find success.
Here are other suggestions, things you can put into practice now rom LocaliQ.com
a. Buy from local shops
b. Buy from local artists.
c. Use takeout from local restaurants.
d. Word of mouth helps businesses.
e. Leave positive reviews on social media for the businesses you like to patronize.
Though we cannot go back to the past, we can create a future that honors the legacy of our nation's small towns and their tangible and intangible qualities.
Photo by Gordon Plant on Unsplash.
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