There is no linear path to creating great communities. But the real challenge is keeping them thriving over time.

I live in the beautiful Southern Arizona town, of Tubac. We're a town rich in history, art, culture, and connectedness. But as we look towards our future, questions arise - should we stay the same or take on thoughtful growth and development to help keep us moving forward? No matter what the answer may be, progress, change, and growth are inevitable in every community. 

The question is: who will shape it? Those who love and contribute to the community or those simply looking to capitalize on its location, uniqueness, people, etc...

However we answer the question, I believe we should position the human experience in everyday life at the top of the priority list when trying to help shape the communities where we live and work. 

As social creatures, most of us crave connection and community. It is important for us to feel part of a bigger picture. Greeting our neighbors on walkable streets and trails, enjoying public spaces, participating in outdoor activities together, chatting with one another at the local market, and welcoming new community members into our fold are all key components of the human experience and part of what makes any community thrive. So are groups of business owners exchanging ideas at a neighborhood restaurant, or tourists mixed among the locals gathering to celebrate art and history. All of this contributes to the vibrancy of our human experience and has a positive impact on communities, culture, health, and even the economy. 

By prioritizing cultural enrichment, art, history, and a high-quality emphasis on the human experience, communities can increase their economic and social conditions both locally and at a statewide level. But to build an even better tomorrow, we need to innovate around today's successes while also scaling our achievements in a thoughtful way. As I see it there are at least two major goals to help shape the future of any community. The first is to do more of what is working. Secondly, we must discover new ways to scale those achievements so that they drive progress in a thoughtful, sustainable way that benefits both today's members of our community as well as those of tomorrow. 

 There's a delicate balance to be struck here. But if we can figure out how to strike the right balance, it will mean that our communities are not only great places to live but also sustainable ones. That’s something worth striving for.