Join Monte Anderson on October 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Voices Studios (1585 Central Avenue) for a session on how communities can spark small-scale, neighborhood-led development.

Day 2 of Elevate North Lafayette — the Redevelopment Financing Basics workshop.

Learn practical strategies for funding neighborhood revitalization — from small-scale infill projects to larger redevelopment efforts.

We’re kicking off Elevate North Lafayette tonight with a Happy Hour co-hosted by the Greater Southwest Louisiana Black Chamber of Commerce.

“Churches, Golf Courses, and Shopping Centers: How the Big Stuff Can Become an Asset—Not a Problem—in Your City”

Featuring Monte Anderson, Bernice Radle, and Mike Keen, this conversation dives into how legacy properties can be incrementally reimagined to meet local needs—affordably, creatively, and with community at the center.

Monte Anderson has spent decades proving that the best way to rebuild the middle class is by investing in small-scale, locally owned development. At hashtag#BuildMaine2025, he’s sharing how vacant parking lots, dead malls, and underused churches can be reimagined as productive, people-centered neighborhoods—one suite at a time.Catch Monte’s session Rebuilding Suburban Parking Lots into Neighborhoods on June 4 in Skowhegan, Maine at the Build Maine conference.

Monte is a legend in small-scale development. From flipping motels into mixed-use anchors to incrementally transforming strip malls into thriving town centers, he’s spent decades proving what’s possible when we invest in places—block by block.

This panel is for anyone serious about building more resilient, opportunity-rich towns—and doing it with heart, hustle, and community at the center.

Don’t miss Monte’s talk or the chance to connect with the growing Big Towns movement.

We’re thrilled to announce that Bernice Radle, President of Neighborhood Evolution, will be featured in the next Local-Motive stop hosted by Strong Towns! Bernice is leading the charge in Buffalo, NY, fostering a movement rooted in small-scale development, flexibility, historic preservation, and incremental action.

Whether you're just starting or scaling your impact, this session is your chance to learn from one of the movement’s most committed doers. Hosted by Norm Van Eeden Petersman, the session includes live Q&A and tangible takeaways for making your own place stronger and more resilient.
🛠️ Bonus: Attend live for the conversation, stay for lifetime access and additional resources to help you take action in your community.

💡 The Local-Motive tour runs every Thursday from March 20 – April 24, 2025
Each stop features a local Strong Towns hero sharing real-world insights—topics range from safer streets to fighting highway expansion and advocating for Main Street.

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of a new 12 Steps to Town Making chapter in Providence, RI—a powerful step toward building stronger neighborhoods and a stronger movement.

Join Monte Anderson and Bernice Radle as we come together to connect, learn, and gear up for this year’s Strong Towns Gathering and CNU!
Whether you're a practitioner, an advocate, or just town-curious—this is the pla