Abingdon, VA vs. Sylvania, OH
Welcome to this first round match-up in the fifth annual Strongest Town Competition! In this round, 16 towns are facing off, and eight will advance to the next segment of the contest based on your votes. We invite you to read the answers that representatives from these two towns provided to questions about economic resilience, citizen involvement, land use and more, then vote for the strongest.
Can’t decide? If you’re looking for inspiration, check out how we describe the Strong Towns approach, or maybe take a look at the questions that make up our Strong Towns Strength Test.
You may vote once per day in each match-up.
Round 1 voting closes at 12pm CDT on Thursday, March 12st.
Note: All entries are lightly edited for clarity and readability.
Photo Credit: Creative Commons
ABINGDON, VA
Entry submitted by: William Denton, Monroe Sparks, Cathy Lowe
What is your favorite thing about your town?
As a small town of under 8,000 people the unique historical charm mixed with vibrant small businesses and gourmet restaurants brings out the best of Abingdon! Nestled in the valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, our town has a rich history dating back to the days of the American Revolution and features the world famous Virginia Creeper Bike Trail as well as the elegant Martha Washington Inn. The famous Barter Theatre, the state theatre of Virginia, is also proudly in operation putting on numerous plays and music concerts. During the summer time Abingdon puts on free concerts at the outdoor pavilion called Thursday Night Jams with food vendors and a beer garden. These events bring many people in from all over the region and the world!
What is the biggest challenge your town faces, and what are you doing to address it?
Keeping small businesses here as well as attracting them and providing opportunities for the next generation of Abingdon citizens to raise families, run businesses, and move Abingdon forward. Growth in Abingdon is at a crossroads: how do we keep growing in a smart way to retain business and families while maintaining the small town charm that Abingdon is known for? That issue is being actively discussed and addressed by residents and local government to ensure prosperity in this new decade.
What transportation options exist in your town for people of varying ages, abilities, and means? How easy is it to live in your town without regular access to a car? What transportation investments has your town recently made or is it in the process of making?
Abingdon has decent public transportation with the District 3 transit system and the increased use of trolley car buses during the busy Virginia Highlands Festival every year. If you live in the town you can practically walk everywhere or request a pick up from District 3 bus transportation. Sidewalks and pedestrian crossings are also being improved as foot traffic within town and Main Street is increasing with more venues for entertainment and shopping is increasing.
Tell us about your community's local economy. Who are the key players, big and small, and how do they help your town to be financially strong and resilient? What local businesses are you most proud of?
The community surrounding Abingdon is in Washington County, VA, which has traditionally been a coal mining region with rural farms and agricultural industry. However, in the town, one key player would be Food City, which has established its corporate office and head grocery store at the new Meadows shopping center. Other key players would be our restaurants and breweries such as Wolf Hills Brewery, Bone Fire Smokehouse, Rain Restaurant and Bar, The Tavern, Sisters American Grill, Jacks 128 Pecan, Zazzy's Coffee House, Los Arcos Mexican, Papa Toms Cantina, and The Peppermill. These amazing restaurants attract so many people to our town for their high quality foods and entertainment experiences with music, etc. Antique shops play a big role in Abingdon as they further the historical and charming experience of the town and provide great places for tourists to visit and spend money during high traffic times such as the Spring and Summer.
If we took a walking tour through your town, what would we see? How does your community use its land productively to promote long-term financial resilience?
The Town of Abingdon is a gorgeous place to walk anytime of the year! Summer is an enjoyable time to visit the boutique shops along Main Street, and in the fall the leaves take a warm and cozy color. You would see the Martha Washington Inn, originally built in 1832 by General Francis Preston, hero of the War of 1812, for his family of nine children. Over the course of the last 174 years, the building has served as an upscale women's college, a Civil War hospital and barracks, and as a residence for visiting actors of the Barter Theatre. You would see many historical buildings in the historic district dating back to the American Revolutionary War days. The Tavern, the oldest of Abingdon's historic buildings and one of the oldest west of the Blue Ridge, was built in 1779. It was used from its beginning as a tavern and overnight inn for stagecoach travelers. The Tavern has had such guests as Henry Clay; Louis Philippe, King of France; President Andrew Jackson; and Pierre Charles L'Enfant, designer of Washington D.C.
The town uses the land in a very productive way. It can be improved, but for the limited space and historic zoning of certain areas, the town has a growing and well placed Main Street. Our Main Street program is working hard to grow and maintain Abingdon's storefronts and attract even more unique small businesses.
How easy is it to become an entrepreneur or a small-scale developer in your town? What kinds of support are available for a resident who wants to open a business or build on a small vacant lot?
Abingdon provides support for entrepreneurs with the Virginia Highlands Small Business Incubator as well as other in-town resources to foster the development of small businesses. Every year the town of Abingdon sponsors the Small Business Development Challenge to award upwards of $15,000 to multiple business owners who compete for the award and to showcase their new business or existing business!
At Strong Towns we believe that financial solvency is a prerequisite for long-term prosperity. What steps has your community taken to ensure its financial security? Do local leaders adequately do the math on new investments proposed in your town to ensure that they’ll be able to afford them now and afford their maintenance in the future?
Abingdon is in a responsible place financially and longterm financial stability is supported by current leaders, as it was by previous ones. The development of the new Meadows Shopping Center (where the new Food City was built) and the other businesses and hotels that are coming in will bring even more tax revenue to Abingdon. The sports complex being built at the Meadows will bring even more opportunities to youth sports and provide playing fields for our community and even our region. These developments only help ensure Abingdon's future financial success. With the revitalization and steadfast leadership of the Main Street program, Abingdon is already making the steps to be a competitor and leader in the new decade. Spending is carefully considered by Council and financial obligations are taken seriously. Tax revenues are stable and Abingdon keeps a surplus in the budget, mirroring the Commonwealth of Virginia's balanced budget.
At Strong Towns, we believe that local government is a platform for strong citizens to collaboratively build a prosperous place. How are residents in your town involved in shaping its future? How do residents’ experiences, struggles, and concerns directly inform the projects undertaken by local government? Provide one or more examples.
Residents are actively involved in Town Government with regular attendance at Council meetings. Residents also utilize a Facebook page called Abingdon Citizens Group to voice their concerns and needs.
Residents also voice their opinions loudly when they desire that something be done. For example, the Meadows Shopping Center was fought by a small group of people who did not want development and more economic growth. A popular fast food local chain called Pal's was also fought by this group last year. The outpouring of support for the Meadows and Pal’s was heard when hundreds of Abingdon residents attended a council meeting to let their council members know they wanted both projects. Pal’s is famous in the Southwest Virginia/Northeast Tennessee areas for the bright teal color of their buildings. They provide amazing customer service, food quality, and expediency. The fringe group in town wanted to stop the development because of the color of the building, a business that will now bring in more than $250,000 a year in tax revenue to Abingdon. Thankfully, the movement by residents showed that economic and smart growth are needed and their concerns were heard.
Abingdon is in a unique position to grow while maintaining the historical charm at the same time. Residents want success and prosperity while keeping Abingdon with that small town USA feeling. The communication between government and residents is improving daily and Abingdon is doing an amazing job at hearing what their taxpayers have to say.
Photo Credit: Sylvania Chamber of Commerce
SYLVANIA, OH
Entry submitted by: Bill Sanford, Leslie Brinning, Kevin Aller, Toby Schroyer, Rick Schnoor, Laura Bigelow, Craig Stough, Michelle Sprott, and Jerry Arkebauer
What is your favorite thing about your town?
Sylvania has a small town feel and is close to larger metropolitan areas. Our location is in Northwest Ohio on the border with the State of Michigan. Distance to other cities in miles:
Toledo:13
Ann Arbor, Michigan: 43
Findlay, Ohio: 52
Detroit, Michigan: 67
Cleveland, Ohio: 126
Columbus, Ohio: 149
Indianapolis, Indiana: 221
Chicago, Illinois: 236
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: 243.
We are 12 miles from Toledo Express Airport and 55 miles from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
Many people who grew up here return to settle here. We have a good school system and a solid economic standing for businesses.
What is the biggest challenge your town faces, and what are you doing to address it?
Providing the right kind of housing. More “empty nesters” are looking to downsize but want to stay in the community, and young professionals are looking for more options on where to live. We need more options: upscale apartments and condominiums near our downtown.
What transportation options exist in your town for people of varying ages, abilities, and means? How easy is it to live in your town without regular access to a car? What transportation investments has your town recently made or is it in the process of making?
If you do not have your own vehicle when the weather is cooperative (nine to ten months of the year) biking is an option, as we have bike trails in the City with connections to area bikeways. Our regional transportation offers “Call A Ride” which is a door-to-door service as well as Park & Rides to sporting events in neighboring Toledo. Services like Uber and Lyft are also available.
Tell us about your community's local economy. Who are the key players, big and small, and how do they help your town to be financially strong and resilient? What local businesses are you most proud of?
We have a strong local economy. It is primarily professional services (financial, legal, public relations and media consulting, and medical). Flower Hospital and the ProMedica Health System is our largest employer. Our bond rating is AA+ . We have a strong and active Downtown Business Association and a Community Improvement Corporation that lends economic development. Sylvania is also home to Lourdes University.
If we took a walking tour through your town, what would we see? How does your community use its land productively to promote long-term financial resilience?
Sylvania has done a good job of repurposing property instead of moving out to new open areas. The City has been the leader in buying depressed properties and then working with developers to repurpose the location.
How easy is it to become an entrepreneur or a small-scale developer in your town? What kinds of support are available for a resident who wants to open a business or build on a small vacant lot?
The City does not charge a business tax when a business comes to Sylvania. Many towns do this and we are praised locally for the easy access to information and very little required “Red Tape” to open a business in Sylvania. Both the Chamber of Commerce and Community Improvement Corporation have programs to help entrepreneurs.
At Strong Towns we believe that financial solvency is a prerequisite for long-term prosperity. What steps has your community taken to ensure its financial security? Do local leaders adequately do the math on new investments proposed in your town to ensure that they’ll be able to afford them now and afford their maintenance in the future?
We pride ourselves on being fiscally responsible. Property values have increased making Sylvania a good investment and provide a return for the business on that investment. Our budget is balanced, and capital improvements for our community are part of that budget.
At Strong Towns, we believe that local government is a platform for strong citizens to collaboratively build a prosperous place. How are residents in your town involved in shaping its future? How do residents’ experiences, struggles, and concerns directly inform the projects undertaken by local government? Provide one or more examples.
When we undertake studies to improve our City, citizens are always part of the equation. We want community input in all we do. There recently was a proposal for an interchange improvement on one of our main arteries in Sylvania (Monroe Street). Citizens were invited to a meeting to review all plans and options for the interchange. We are going with the option that was supported by 90% of the citizens at the meeting. The consultant on the project preferred another option.
Round 1 Match-Ups
Highland Park, IL vs. Victoria, BC | Beloit, WI vs. Wytheville, VA | Abingdon, VA vs. Sylvania, OH | Chubbuck, ID vs. Winona, MN
The other eight nominees will be revealed on Tuesday, March 10.