What Makes a Community

What does make a great community?  I love our UWT community and Tacoma.  I started thinking about WHY I love it here.  I think it is absolutely imperative that community members feel respected and that they have a voice. Other words that come to mind:

·         Acceptance. 

·         Creativity.   

·         Values education and life-long learning. 

·         Communication. 

·         Ability to get things done without a lot of hassle. 

·         Laughter. 

I wanted to know what others thought on this topic.  So, my friend Google shared with me the following list found in an article on economic development.  This is spot on, in my opinion, and easily could have been a description of our great city.   

Top 10 Indicators of a Great City, the essential ingredients according to Conway, Inc. 

1. Lack of/minimal political divisiveness at the local level.

2. The ability of the public to be able to name the local “movers and shakers” with ease.

3. Strong public/private partnerships.

4. Citizens know the “civic story” – the city’s strengths, weaknesses, and plans moving forward.

5. The condition and potential for the city’s downtown will indicate the city’s future.

6. Nearby research institution.

7. Strong community college at the city center.

8. Creative and experimental public schools.

9. Inclusive and open to all groups.

10. A collective “big dream” – a sense of where things are going.

11. BONUS – A great craft brew industry.

With all of our greatness, we do have our flaws.  We still see ourselves as lesser than our big sister to the north, Seattle.  And yet, for all of our huffing and puffing about Seattle, we do not play well with the smaller cities surrounding us.  We need to think more regionally and band together with our neighbors rather than acting like the bullying middle-child who wants more attention but doesn’t know how to ask for it properly.