Polls Are Open: Let’s Choose Our Final Four
Strong Towns readers voted by the thousands to pick the Elite Eight bracket in our 2022 Strongest Town Contest. Now it’s time to pare the list down to the Final Four. Voting opens today on this round of the Strongest Town contest, featuring four classic matchups.
Will the “Durangotangs” with their tight-knit Colorado community featuring active transportation culture in the San Juan Mountain Range prevail over White Salmon, a small Washington state community full of pride in, and respect for, the natural amenities and resources that make this location special in the beautiful Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area—attracting two million visitors a year?
What about Taylor, Texas, and Norwood, Ohio, two small towns that fight above their weight? Taylor is following the old DNA of its classic neighborhoods to capitalize on a sustainable future with human-scaled neighborhoods at its heart. Norwood, a city of porches and parks, has a fine school district and a community that counts on amazing volunteer support and spirit to move it into the future.
How about Frankfort, Kentucky, with its beautiful historic downtown district next to the Old State Capital on the south shore of the Kentucky River? It has to get past Yellow Springs, Ohio, which started an Uplift Yellow Springs program to support fellow citizens during the pandemic, built out its own broadband utility, and is known as a Bicycle Friendly Community and a Buckeye Trail Town?
The Heart of Jasper, a diverse group of organizations that form an epicenter of activity for this Indiana community, leverages existing assets, transforms those in need, and instills new energy through creative programs and collaborative leadership with its solid Impact Jasper community investment plan. Will it be enough to overtake hard-charging Champaign, home to the University of Illinois, and full of walkable, charming old neighborhoods and thriving small businesses on friendly, people-centered streets?
Only YOU will be able to tell us. Each of these eight communities has chosen five photos and captions to demonstrate community's strength and resilience. Click the matchup below to review the photos, read the captions, and then vote for one of them to move on the Final Four!
Taylor, TX, vs. Norwood, OH, in…
Durango, CO, vs. White Salmon, WA, in…
Jasper, IN, vs. Champaign, IL, in…
Frankfort, KY, vs. Yellow Springs, OH, in…
Can’t decide? If you’re looking for inspiration, check out how we describe the Strong Towns approach.
You may vote once per match-up. Voting closes at noon CT on Thursday, March 17. For rules, and to follow along with the contest, visit the Strongest Town Contest page.
Below is the full draw:
