5/3/2016 10:00:00 AM
Strong Towns, a national nonprofit working to strengthen financial resilience in America’s towns and neighborhoods, will lead a week-long series of community conversations on the Iron Range beginning May 16, sponsored by IRRRB and the Blandin Foundation.
During this week, Strong Towns staff, including President Charles Marohn, a lifelong resident of northern Minnesota, will travel the length of the Iron Range to discuss why our communities are struggling financially and how to fix that. The answers lie in the way we have developed; the financial productivity of our places.
Strong Towns will highlight creative ways to build better places and create more job opportunities, all while utilizing the assets that already exist in the community.
The schedule of public events is as follows:
MONDAY, MAY 16
Panel Discussion: The Role of Tourism and Arts in Bringing People Back to the Range
12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Old Central High School, 10 NW 5th St, Grand Rapids
Curbside Chat
6 p.m. to 8 p.m, Timberlake Lodge, 144 Southeast 17th Street, Grand Rapids
TUESDAY, MAY 17
Curbside Chat
4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Barr Engineering, 3128 14th Ave E, Hibbing
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18
Panel Discussion: Collaboration is Crucial
12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Lyric Center for the Arts (514 Chestnut Street, Virginia)
Curbside Chat
6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mesabi East School – Large Commons, 601 N. 1st Street W., Aurora
THURSDAY, MAY 19
Panel Discussion: Building a Strong Economic Development Ecosystem in Your Town
12 p.m. to 1 p.m., Lyric Center for the Arts, 514 Chestnut Street, Virginia
Curbside Chat
6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mesabi Range College - Virginia Campus, 1001 Chestnut Street, Virginia
All members of the community are invited to attend these events and participate in discussions about the alternative economy and the Strong Towns approach. Additional events will be added soon.
Strong Towns staff will also meet with community leaders and host walking tours of several downtowns in the Iron Range.
Finally, between May 16-20, Strong Towns will also share a collection of stories from small business owners and community leaders in the Iron Range region on its website, as well as daily articles explaining Strong Towns principles and their application on the Range.
