Wanting More than Rural Charm
Tyra Penn, Director of Planning & Development
Photo used with permission Tyra Penn
Tyra is the Planning and Development Director for this northeastern-most municipality of Connecticut. Historically an agricultural community with several small but robust mill villages, Thompson’s challenges are the same as faced by a multiplicity of communities throughout the United States.
Externally challenged by limited or misallocated, top-down resources, by geography (think being in one state but being influenced by another’s urban center) and by the differences in socio-economics Thompson also faces internal challenges….. just how and who defines what the next generation will experience in our small rural towns. Who there will benefit from our ‘modern’ economy?
Tyra’s current projects, some of which we touch upon in this episode include a small-mixed use development taking advantage of local assets such as historic property, natural environment and local interest. This project includes an AG-based incubator intentionally designed to take advantage of local human assetts and interest.
We’re all working hard to make our communiteis better, more resilient, more responsive to our neighbors needs. Tyra is working on her community and we all hope this podcast episode emboldens you to take the next step for YOUR town.
Your Town, Built Stronger
No Apology for Urban Anthropology
M the Media Project
Reap What You Sow
P-L-A-N-N-I-N-G
Building a Town for a New Era
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Scott M. Graves is the founder of SMGraves Creative Enterprises. Most recently he was executive director of the Wachusett Business Incubator where the SMG team experimented with various programming to overcome the meaningless ‘ribbon cutting’ experiences so synonymous with much of our nation’s well-intentioned economic development. He is known for a steadfast resolve for intellectual rigor and business strategy. Nothing makes Scott feel more fulfilled than to help other develop their own unique creativity which leads to fulfillment in work and life. His team is currently partnering with The Worcshop, the east coasts largest industrial makerspace to develop the Worc-It Business Lab for incubating new business.
An entrepreneur in his own right, Scott previously operated the former Smash Music. Along with ImageIdentity’s David Lubelczyk their team developed Leadership Candidates Program for immersive support of new enterprise and Business Triage, a direct response to the issues now exacerbated for small businesses since the spread of Covid-19.
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