Community Resource

How Retail Can Transform Your Small Community

published: October 5, 2021
7:31 pm

How Retail Can Transform Your Small Community

Seizing new opportunities for growth and economic development can shape an entirely new future for your community and its residents.

By Jessi Atcheson, marketing coordinator, ICMA | Oct 05, 2021

Finding different ways to breathe new life into your community is something that every municipality needs, regardless of how large or small it is. Actively seizing new opportunities for growth and economic development can shape an entirely new future for your community and its residents.

During A Tale of Two Cities: Attracting Retail in Small and Rural Communities, Sarah Beth Thornton, vice president of Retail Strategies, fielded questions and called on the experience of two local government leaders who are utilizing the retail space to transform their small communities. Alan Flora, city manager of Clearlake, California, and Brandie Shaeffer, town manager of Warrenton, Virginia, came with firsthand knowledge of just how much retail can change a small community for the better.

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What do you need?

John Feary

City Manager

Claremore, OK

Service: Small Business Support

We are excited to have a turnkey program that supports all sectors — retail services, restaurants, traditional retail, and landlords. This platform will empower our small business owners with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.

Andrea de la Rosa

Assistant Director of Small Business Development

City of Bloomington

Service: Retail Strategies

I really enjoyed the meeting with Laura Marinos and Jennifer Gregory of Retail Strategies! They were very informative and supportive. They gave me so much information and tips for taking my business to the next level in the marketing area where I lack tremendously. I finally decided on a new name so I will be putting their tools into action soon!

Stacy Grant

Business Owner

Youngstown OH

Service: Retail Strategies

Retail Strategies has been an incredible asset to both my clients and me in deal-making. Their folks do a great job of listening to retailers’ requirements and providing value. They’ve proven to be a strong conduit between municipalities and retailers supporting growth through connections.

Casey Smallwood

SVP, Managing Principal & Market Leader, SRS Real Estate Partners

Service: Retail Strategies

I would highly recommend Retail Strategies. They have been a great partner to the Hendry County Economic Development Council in our recruitment efforts to bring more retail opportunities to the county. Their experience, knowledge, and relationships throughout the retail community combined with their friendly approach has made them a valued partner in our community’s growth efforts.

Keitha Daniels

Executive Director of the Hendry County Economic Development Council

Hendry County, Florida

Service: Downtown Strategies

The thing that we really liked about Retail Strategies is that they work together with you and the community. We had to put together an executive committee that consists of some town employees, officials, some citizens and plus myself from the chamber. Retail Strategies has a very diverse background. They have people that are from economic development, they have people that were realtors, they have people that are downtown development directors, people that are in tourism, people that are in retail, so they really have all avenues.

How Retail Can Transform Your Small Community