Focus on Small Cities

Mar-Apr 2025

Pine City Honors Businesses and Residents for Voluntary Property Improvements

In Pine City, an ongoing commitment to community is taking shape as local businesses and residents invest in improvements and…

Jan-Feb 2025

Battle Lake Hatchery Row: Before and After

The redevelopment in the heart of Battle Lake is part of “an explosion of business” that includes about a dozen…

Nov-Dec 2024

Grow Perham Fills Housing Needs

Grow Perham, formed by business leaders, the city, and other stakeholders sets out to address the housing issue.

Sep-Oct 2024

Staying Social: Tracy Creates More Ways for Residents to Mingle

The City of Tracy wanted to encourage people to socialize after COVID-19 so the community arranged activities where everyone could…

Jul-Aug 2024

Silver Bay Sees Multiple Redevelopment Projects Happening All at Once

The City of Silver Bay is in the process of a variety of redevelopment projects.

May-Jun 2024

Lonsdale’s New Skate Park Exceeds Expectations in Its First Year

Lonsdale’s skate park, in its first season, is already a popular spot.

Mar-Apr 2024

Progress Slow, but Present in Appleton

The City of Appleton is rebounding since the 1,640-bed Prairie Correctional Facility closed in 2010.

Jan-Feb 2024

Howard Lake Set to Open State’s First Net-Zero Library

Howard Lake is set to open a new, net-zero library building that counterbalances the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced…

Nov-Dec 2023

Gnome Man’s Land: Mysterious Norwegian Characters Put Peterson on the Map

Peterson, MN, population 234, has become a tourist attraction thanks to a growing population of Norwegian gnomes.

Sep-Oct 2023

Spring Grove Advances 2023 Plan With Help From Rural Design Cohort Program

The Spring Grove 2030 initiative developed plans that included the idea of creating a new community space in Spring Grove.