The Look of of a Place

I am often asked how a community can differentiate itself from the competition. Most economic development organizations try to highlight their strengths, their assets, to attract particular industry sectors, which you almost have to do.

But I think the physical look of your community can play a huge role in setting your community apart from others. I saw this recently in visiting Iowa City, Iowa, a city characterized by rolling terrain, lots of trees, a very vibrant downtown with interesting architecture and lots of independently owned restaurants.

Of course, having an adjoining urban campus of 33,000 students (The University of Iowa) helps. For Iowa City, the biggest challenge has been and will be getting site selector consultants and corporate decision-makers to visit the community. But I believe once they see the city and the surrounding environs, it will sell itself.

The point is that we form memories about places that have a unique identity and look. A recent mapping project at the Georgia Institute of Technology reveals that the dining terrain defines much about communities around the country.

Nearly 17 percent of U.S. eateries shuttered permanently or long-term during the first year of Covid-19, according to the National Restaurant Association, and those closures were not borne equally. Deep-pocketed dining chains fared much better than independent-owned restaurants, which were far more vulnerable to the financial stress of months with few customers.

Source Credit: BBA Economic Digest, Dean Barber - Principal