Round 2: Pittsburg, KS vs. Watertown, SD
Welcome to the second round of the fifth annual Strongest Town Competition! This contest is our annual celebration of the towns and cities across North America (and even the world) who are building stronger communities, even in times of uncertainty and change.
We’re down to our top eight contestants, and for this round, we asked them to cut back on the text and instead send us five photos, with a caption for each explaining how it illustrates the strength of their city.
Check out the photo submissions from two of our elite eight contenders below, and cast your vote at the bottom of the page!
Voting closes at 12pm CDT on Thursday, March 19th.
PITTSBURG, KS
Entry submitted by: Dawn McNay, Daron Hall, Jay Byers, Sarah Runyon, Brittan Brenner, Blake Benson, Abigale Fern, Brett Dalton, Joe Dellasega
Revitalizing our downtown district
There is no greater symbol of impactful downtown revitalization than the Block22 project. With nearly 100 apartments for Pittsburg State students, three new restaurants, a bustling coffee shop, a small-business incubator, and several small businesses located within Block22, the project brings hundreds of people downtown daily. This increased traffic is vital to the success of our small business community and it has helped attract several new businesses to the downtown district. By partnering with our university and recruiting outside developers to invest, we saved four of the oldest historic buildings in the heart of our city, built density in our urban core, and created a space for innovators to collaborate and produce the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Photo Credit: Pittsburg State University
Restoring the environment
A coal-mining town located on one of the richest zinc mines in the United States, Pittsburg was once an ideal location for zinc smelting industries in the late 1800s. Although little is left of the zinc industry today, high levels of metal contamination rendered these properties unsafe and unusable for many years. By partnering with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and local property owners, we have made significant progress toward reclaiming these properties, creating new commercial development opportunities, and made our community safer and cleaner for future generations. In 2018, the City transformed the Weir City Zinc Works site into a new road, which connects existing businesses and opens up four new commercial properties in our north business district.
Photo Credit: AV8 Droneworx
Improving connectivity
Pittsburg citizens are leading the way for a more pedestrian and bike-friendly community. Groups like the Active Transportation Advisory Board and Live Well Crawford County have shined a light on the impact active transportation infrastructure has on the health, safety and vibrancy of our city. With the help of these citizen-led efforts, the community has seen over $2.7 million in public and private dollars invested in walking and biking paths over the last five years. Together, we are making Pittsburg a more connected city, where humans and vehicles can safely coexist.
Photo Credit: The Joplin Globe
Engaging our community
In order for the city to prosper, we need to engage our citizens and give them a voice in the future of their community. Our Imagine Pittsburg 2030 strategic vision is a grassroots effort supported by local government leaders, the university, the chamber of commerce and local stakeholders, and has been a catalyst for change since its adoption in 2012. Since that time, Pittsburg has experienced approximately $480 million in planned or completed projects. Many of these are a direct result of community input received through the IP2030 planning process. This initiative continues to gain momentum as we educate our citizens with bi-monthly community conversations around topics people truly care about.
Growing our businesses—small and large
Home-grown businesses are our bread and butter. Home to the largest Pizza Hut franchise in the world, Pittsburg is the founding place for five nationally-known, multi-million-dollar companies. As a community built by dreamers and doers, Pittsburg prides itself on providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality. The entrepreneurial spirit is seen throughout Pittsburg—from our largest, most successful employers to our small boutique shops downtown. Pittsburg was recently ranked #4 in the state of Kansas by LendEDU for the number of new businesses added. We are building on the strong foundation laid by our legacy businesses and creating an atmosphere that builds new businesses from the ground up.
Photo Credit: Audacious Pittsburg
WATERTOWN, SD
Entry submitted by: Sarah Caron, Kristen Henderson, Jan DeBerg, Greg Blow, Matt Roby, Nancy Turbak Berry, Liam Culhane, Chris Schilken, Jim Seurer, Michael Heuer, Tim Sheehan, Julie Knutson, Christine Dolney
A Regional Hub for Great Health Care
Nationally-ranked health care makes Watertown strong! Residents all over the region come to Watertown for the wide variety of medical services offered by numerous clinics and facilities. Prairie Lakes Healthcare System has recently been designated as one of the top 20 rural community hospitals in the nation for the fourth time in five years. An anchor to the multitude of medical services and specialties in Watertown, the independent nonprofit hospital gives back to the community by sponsoring the Prairie Lakes Wellness Center, free rides to appointments, educational events, and so on, raising the standard of living for all.
Building the Future, Collaboratively
Watertown is a progressive community with collaborative leadership, characterized by our commitment to public education, diversity of employment opportunities, safe and attractive neighborhoods and business districts, and vibrant cultural and recreational amenities. Our dedication to developing and maintaining these attributes ensures that our community is welcoming, family-friendly, and appealing to all ages. Nearly a decade ago, several thousand residents of Watertown participated in the community input process to produce our H20-20 Vision Plan which has helped bring numerous opportunities to fruition. Among many other improvements, the Vision Plan ultimately led to the community-wide effort to renovate our historic opera house, shown below.
Getting Stronger through Education
Lake Area Tech provides superior, comprehensive technical education that changes lives and launches careers. Named the #1 two-year college in the nation by the Aspen Institute in 2017, Lake Area Tech boasts a 99% placement rate, making it a perpetually strong attractor enticing industry to locate in Watertown. Lake Area Tech produces a steady stream of highly competent and sought-after workers in 30 different programs, playing a crucial role in the economic health of the entire region.
Building Prosperity through Strong Partnerships
Watertown Development Company (WDC) helped transform the dismal site of a downtown fire in 2019 (top) into the promise in 2020 of a modern mixed-use development (bottom). Since 1942, WDC has been building prosperity through a wide array of coordinated efforts. Collaboration with city leaders helps present a strong case for locating or expanding in Watertown. The enduring partnership with the City, County, Lake Area Technical College, Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, and local businesses has created a rock-solid and diverse employment base in Watertown. Combining resources from its partners, WDC is empowered to research and act quickly to answer needs as they arise. From hosting special interest groups like the Development Standards Committee or the Intern Engagement Team to recruiting businesses, repurposing old buildings and advising elected officials, WDC exists for the sole purpose of making Watertown strong and is an integral part of the fabric of the community.
Nonprofits and Volunteers Improving the Quality of Life for All
Watertown’s strength is evident in the devotion of its citizens to providing unparalleled quality of life for all, including those who are sometimes left behind. The inspirational Joy Ranch, shown below, is a barrier free camp/retreat center borne from the dream of a volunteer who recognized a need, generously donated land and infrastructure, then perfected it with donations of time, talent and treasure from many caring individuals, Lake Area Tech students and local organizations. It is entirely accessible so that people of all ages and abilities can experience community together. Similarly, recognizing the long-term benefit of having a healthy place for our kids to hang out after school and during the summer while parents work, the community supports our Watertown Boys and Girls Club at levels unheard of elsewhere. Our Community Foundation has been highly successful in maximizing the impact of charitable giving through smart investment of gifts and strategic offering of grants to the Club, the Ranch, and many other worthy causes. Working together, Watertown citizens make great things happen!
Round 2 Match-Ups
Beloit, WI vs. Highland Park, IL | Sylvania, OH vs. Winona, MN | Athens, OH vs. Hamilton, MO | Pittsburg, KS vs. Watertown, SD