I have been posting A Place I’ll Remember monthly for over 5 years. My guiding principle has been to highlight people and programs I think are worthy examples of how to make life better for people. I write about places that have had to deal with all kinds of challenges, natural and man-made. It’s a pleasure to highlight the very human creativity and commitment to TRYING, not knowing if it will work or how long it will take.
Lately, I’ve been wondering how long I am going to be able to keep it up. I have the energy, and the interest, but the inspiration has been harder to come by.
I used to have to evaluate based on the needs and desires of my corporate clients, now I just focus on representing myself with integrity.
I have witnessed what is happening in Chicago not on a screen but with my own eyes. We have all had the chance to see it in Minnesota, and beyond.
What I will remember are the people, not the policies, not the institutions. The people who are feeding and clothing their neighbors, taking care of their children, consistently showing up and making their voices heard. And the people who we often describe as unseen, but who are so clearly seen and valued by their communities.
Imagine, if you are an economic developer, having that kind of engagement in any community improvement initiative you have ever tried.
We tell economic developers they must be skilled in telling the story of their communities. These are the stories I want to tell – the stories of what building community really looks like, the stories of how we can take care of one another.