This week at Strong Towns is of our fall member drive—where the Strong Towns staff has all hands on deck to encourage readers and listeners just like you to become members of the Strong Towns movement. Therefore, we’re changing the game up a bit on It’s the Little Things and sharing a story of how a Strong Towns member—Andy Diaz out of Peoria, Illinois—has used the Strong Towns message to make his community stronger.
If you’ve followed It’s the Little Things for a bit, you may remember our past episode with Andy Diaz, where he shared the story of his organization Urban Acres and how he made small yet effective bets to provide healthy food in his community.
Well, in usual Strong Towns fashion, since that conversation, Andy has made several more small bets in his community that have inspired his neighbors to reimagine what economic development means for a community striving to become a strong town.
Today, Andy—along with the help of his father and wife—run market slash entrepreneur incubator that gives residents in the neighborhood an opportunity to sell their product and, over time, contribute to the financial resiliency of the community. (Oh, yeah, and all without any tax subsidies from the city.)
I have a lot of love for Andy and the way he’s demonstrated the Strong Towns movement in Peoria, Illinois time and time—and am so excited to share this episode with you. And if you like what you hear, please—from the bottom of my heart—consider becoming a member of the Strong Towns movement. 5 dollars, 10 dollars, however much you’re compelled to give however often helps us grow this movement that we all love and support. And, with your heart, we’re certain we can truly lead a bottom-up revolution to build strong cities, towns, and neighborhoods across North America.
Join the movement today at strongtowns.org/membership.
Aaron Holverson and Michael Smith: An Architect and a Planner in Pursuit of Stronger Towns
Amanda Workman Scott and Jenny Totten: Supporting and Developing Rural Leaders
Alex Rodriguez and Danny Lapin: Reactivating a Historic Space for the Whole Community
Abby Kinney and Dennis Strait: People-Centered Urban Planning
Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick: A Strong Towns Advocate on her City Council
Alfred Melbourne: Growing Food, Growing Resilience
Dan Sally: Moving Past the Two-Party System
Jen Wolosin: Stepping Up to Run for Public Office
Jacob Titus: Using Art and Stories to Strengthen Your City
Latoya Wilson: Helping Young People Prepare for the Future
Cary Westerbeck: Uniting Advocates to Build Strong Towns
Sheleita Miller: Bridging Divides Between Neighbors and Government
Sara Joy Proppe: Empowering Churches to Connect with Their Neighborhoods
Sam Nabi: Working Together to Make a Street for People
Krista Fancher: Teaching Young People to Think Resiliently
Chris Harris-Wimsatt: Creating a Community Gathering Space
Chelsea Lawson: Doing the Math
These Erie, PA Residents are Fighting Back Against a Highway Project
Alexander Hagler: An Entrepreneur Creating Opportunities for Other Entrepreneurs
This is the Bottom-Up Revolution
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Voices of Misery Podcast
House of Whimsical Terror
Just Dumb Enough Podcast
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL