Small Cities Month: Big Impact in Small Communities

Tarrant, AL (Population – 6,124)

“Brummit Heights is a neighborhood that was annexed into Tarrant and Birmingham in the 1970s. For over 60 years, they tried to get a traffic light at a deadly intersection existing outside the neighborhood. After the petition was rejected by Tarrant, I joined District 4 of Birmingham – the Birmingham Traffic Engineering Department to get the job done. Because of my love and fear for my district, city and the surrounding areas, I had no other choice – safety first. After this was done, it started a lasting relationship with Birmingham District 4 and Tarrant District 1 – with many more projects to come. Thanks, NLC, for giving me the tools needed to help a small municipality connect with a large municipality like Birmingham.”

— Councilwoman Veronica Bandy-Freeman, District 1

Hot Springs, AR (Population – 37,930)

In Hot Springs, Arkansas, City Director Phyllis Beard was receiving a number of complaints about a neglected property in her district. It was the Historic Friendship Cemetery, the city’s oldest African American burial ground, established during an era when people were segregated even in death. Among those interred there were veterans, teachers, doctors and spa attendants who bathed tourists from around the world. In recent years, families had become heartbroken when they visited the gravesites of their loved ones only to find plots damaged, missing, covered in debris and overgrown with weeds. In 2024, Director Beard marked the cemetery’s centennial celebration; acknowledged previous community efforts to maintain the property; and hosted a Cemetery Cleanup that attracted the city manager and fellow board members. A year later, the Cemetery Cleanups have continued with Director Beard inviting the community to join her every fifth Saturday of the month, rain or shine. It has been a wonderful opportunity to get residents to participate in civic engagement while preserving their heritage.

Sunny Isles Beach, FL (Population – 22,342)

In Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, the city has made remarkable strides in educating and empowering its residents through the Residents’ Academy. The Academy is free of charge and provides adult participants with the information, resources and tools they need to become knowledgeable community members and effective neighborhood leaders. Course sessions include instruction by Commissioner Jeniffer Viscarra, presentations by department heads, observations and hands-on activities demonstrating the variety of city services that are provided to residents.  
 
Additionally, the recent family resource fair allowed community members of all ages to connect directly with city departments and state agencies, fostering collaboration and understanding. It was yet another way the City of Sunny Isles Beach is working to bring the people and the government closer together.
 
These efforts exemplify the theme “Small Cities, Big Impact” by highlighting how a small city can cultivate informed, engaged citizens who play an active role in their community, ultimately strengthening local leadership and enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

Young Harris, GA (Population – 1,098)

In two short years, the City of Young Harris has implemented a Main Street program and completed a master plan. These two initiatives have brought citizens together, along with city council members, to look into the future of the city while doing consensus-building. Main Street has also held multiple events to promote life and unity and support local businesses. For a city of just over 1,000 in population, this small city is making a big impact as it continues to blossom in the north Georgia mountains.

Baker, LA (Population – 12,455)

“The City of Baker, Louisiana, has developed a vigorous program designed to address blighted properties. Following decades of disinvestment and white flight, a need emerged to combat blight and nuisance, universally considered one of the most troublesome challenges for municipalities. Our process began with a single Code Enforcement Officer who identified violations and responded to complaints, but has grown to a staff of inspectors, administrative, clerical, finance, public works and legal professionals. To assist with bringing dangerous and nuisance commercial structures back into compliance and productive use, the City of Baker was awarded an EPA Community-Wide Brownfields Assessment Grant. To address residential properties in need of repair, the City partnered with HUD and the LA Housing Corporation to completely rehabilitate homes of low-income, elderly and disabled residents. While the primary purpose was to serve individual residents in need, in small communities the benefit of these types of improvements impact not only the direct recipients but help to revitalize the community as a whole.”

— Mayor Darnell Waites

Albemarle, NC (Population – 16,432)

“We have a downtown revitalization program that is changing our landscape. Approximately six years ago, the City of Albemarle, the County of Stanly and Pfeiffer University worked to bring the Pfeiffer Center for Health Sciences downtown. We have a new state-of-the-art 40K square foot campus housing our Physician Assistants and Occupational Therapists programs. These students come to us from all over the world and are living and learning in our rural community, to then be able to work in Rural Healthcare. Our community (private and public working together) has refurbished buildings for student living quarters, retail, dining and recreational activities. There is once again life to our downtown.”

— Mayor Pro Tem Martha Sue Hall and President of the North Carolina League of Municipalities

Live Oak, TX (Population – 15,781)

The City of Live Oak, Texas, in partnership with one of its largest employers and event sponsors, Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU), hosts a free Community Shred Day twice a year. With leadership from the Mayor and City Council and the support of city staff, the event offers a safe, drive-thru way for residents and nearby communities to dispose of sensitive documents. Thousands of pounds of paper have been securely shredded, and the event also serves as an opportunity to collect non-perishable food donations for our Fire Department’s Holiday Food Basket program. It’s a simple way to meet real needs — protecting personal information, reducing waste and helping neighbors.

Terrell, TX (Population – 17,465)

“The City of Terrell, Texas hosts the Terrell Taco Festival each May. The fifth annual event was moved from its home at City Hall to our Historic Downtown in an effort to increase attendance and support our small businesses by generating new customers. The move created a substantial increase in foot traffic and provided our residents and visitors with an opportunity to embrace the cultural flavor of a significant and growing segment of our population. By relocating the festival’s footprint to Historic U.S. Highway 80, the event attracted the attention of motorists traveling between Dallas and East Texas. The festival included taco vendors, folklorico dancers, a Mariachi band, a piñata bust, a children’s entrepreneurship market and pop-up shops by local artisans.”

— Donna Renee Anderson, Councilmember, District 2

Dumfries, VA (Population – 5,679)

The Town of Dumfries, Virginia hosted its inaugural Business Expo in November 2024 at the Rose Gaming Resort & Hotel, uniting entrepreneurs, experts and community leaders for a night of growth and collaboration. The event featured breakout sessions on finance, marketing and access to capital, with a special focus on empowering small businesses. Led by Vice Mayor Monaé Nickerson, the Expo reflected Dumfries’ dedication to local economic development and innovation. It provided a launchpad for future partnerships and prosperity. This initiative shows how small cities can spark big economic momentum.