Your Town IS Special

So why aren’t you treating your town that way?

Your community is one of a kind. There is no other place in the world that shares the same story, the same background, the same accomplishments and setbacks. The same assets and the same roadblocks. So again, why isn’t it being treated that way?

Maybe you're waiting for someone else to act. Why doesn’t someone show your community the same love you want to show? Why doesn’t someone put in the same effort? Okay. Why not make that someone you? You love your community. You love your place. So why not pour your passion and resources into the place you care about? Let’s gussy it up so the whole world knows your home matters.

When I lived in Delta, Colorado, I didn’t wait for a title or a paycheck. I didn’t ask the city to hire me as Marketing Coordinator or Place Brand Manager. That happened later. I started by helping the community I lived in and loved, without being asked. My first step was posters. I have a background in graphic design, and that’s where I knew I could contribute. I helped the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce with their annual Deltarado Days celebration. That was my starting point.

Eventually, I was hired by the city, and my ability to help grew even more. Today, two murals in Delta exist because of that journey. Creating them myself was never a part of some grand plan. More murals, yes, ones painted by me, not so much. Hiring a muralist would have cost $20,000 or more. That wasn’t in the budget. Instead, I spent $1,000 on paint and designed murals for buildings the city already owned. So I became a muralist. That wasn’t something I ever expected or even aimed for. The reason I took it on came down to one thing: I cared about the place. I was willing to put in the time. I coordinated volunteers, sought approvals, and followed through because the community mattered to me.

Maybe that's just how I’m wired. I care deeply. When I see a downtown filled with beautiful old buildings, I see potential. I see magic waiting to be uncovered. My love for downtowns began early. At four years old, we moved into a duplex in Neodesha, Kansas. It sat just behind the main street. For me, it was like stepping into a movie set. Fire escapes, two-story buildings, alleyways with back doors and brick walls, those things left a mark. My mom would take us to a laundromat tucked behind those massive downtown buildings. Every trip felt like an adventure.

Those memories never left me. They shaped how I see towns and why I love helping them grow. Seeing old photos of vibrant downtowns reminds me that revitalization isn’t just a dream. It’s something that has happened before. The energy, the excitement, the life were once real, and they can be again. Economic trends may have changed. Development may have moved on. Ideas may have faded. That just means we have to shift again too. The magic hasn’t disappeared. It is simply waiting to be brought to the surface again.

So what about you? Do you love your town? Do you dream of seeing it restored and thriving once again? I want you to know that you’re not alone and that you’re more powerful than you realize. If you have passion and vision, you already hold the most important tools. Maybe your role is small: restoring your storefront, planting flowers, or picking up litter. Or maybe you’ll find others in your community who feel the same way. Imagine what’s possible if you come together. Imagine the difference shared passion and pooled resources could make.

Stay with it. Your town matters. No one can stop progress if you don’t stop yourself. Your place is beautiful. It carries a story that no other town can tell. I hope your efforts take root. And if you ever need ideas, I’d love to help. I’ve been there. I’ve always believed in those magical places, alleys and all. The places with grit and character. The ones that deserve a future as special as their past.