In this episode of Reimagine Rural, host Tony Pipa visits the neighboring towns of Thomas and Davis, West Virginia, former resource-dependent economies that have reinvented themselves as destinations for art and outdoor recreation. Tony speaks with long-time residents who saw the community’s decline, and newcomers who helped spur its revitalization. They describe the new challenges that come with economic growth and their hopes for community-focused sustainable development in the future.
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We’re gratified to have heard from many of you about your own town and the positive things happening there. Feel free to send a note about your rural town to GlobalMedia@Brookings.edu. We’d love to hear from you.
Participants in this episode:
- Dave Clark, Executive director, Woodlands Development & Lending, Elkins
- Jody Flanagan, Mayor, Thomas
- Sandra Goss, Co-owner, Sirianni’s Pizza Cafe, Davis
- Seth Pitt, Artist and gallery owner, Thomas
- Walt Ranalli, Co-owner, Sirianni’s Pizza Cafe, Davis
- Kimberly Joy Trathen, Artist, gallery owner, city recorder, Thomas
- Emily Wilson-Hauger, Director of programs and partnerships, Woodlands Development & Lending, Elkins
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