Small Towns, Big Challenges

Learn how to effectively improve participant engagement, clarity, and ease of access to vital info via affordable technology. Learn how to identify and when to engage with the right outside help. Discuss best practices and success stories of small towns who solved big problems cost effectively.   

Have you ever left a planning conference session scratching your head over how to implement an idea shared that required a staff of dozens or project expenditures that are seemingly larger than your community’s entire municipal budget? Have you ever had a hard time relating to solutions presented in sessions that relied on a group of highly expert team members performing highly specialized roles, because you can’t even remember which of your many hats you should actually be wearing at the moment? Then this session is for you! It is tailored to address the unique challenges and resource limitations of small communities. Panelists with diverse personal and professional perspectives will share their real-world experiences in working with and for small communities and how they have helped them more effectively improve their planning and development processes. We will explore how rapidly changing public service expectations, small-town politics, generational shifts in lifestyles, technology advances, remote work, economic paradigm shifts, demands for affordable housing, and financial pressures are making it increasingly difficult for planners and zoning administrators to serve small town’s growing needs with limited resources. The panelists will share examples of how communities have successfully overcome challenges by implementing smart process and communication designs and cost-effective technology upgrades that have made real improvements in the usability of their community’s plans and zoning codes for the public, all while saving valuable municipal staff time.