Outdoor Recreation Roundtable’s Post

Innovate Alabama continues to be a national leader in connecting the development of outdoor assets to business and talent attraction. Check out this video from leaders sharing how whitewater rafting is linked to Alabama's innovation economy. Outdoor assets attract a talent workforce, but they are also first and foremost about quality of life for existing residents. That's why the outdoor economy can be such a potent win-win.

Considering a move from NY to SC? 🏞️ There are many reasons to move South nowadays, but at Wilson Associates we want to celebrate the wonders of our city and state. 🎉 If you’re considering moving from New York to South Carolina—in fact if you’re thinking about moving from anywhere in the country to SC—we present you with the 7 top reasons why you should make this move. 💼 Click the link to read the full blog post! 🔗 https://bit.ly/3Ua2gXH

Is it time to rethink Hervey Bay’s future? With our city’s population rapidly expanding, we’re at a crossroads. Do we cling to the comforts of what’s familiar and expand outward, or do we take the bold step of growing upward, reshaping the very character of Hervey Bay? This decision isn’t just about land. It’s about the lifestyle we want, the legacy we’ll leave, and our impact on the environment. The stakes are high—and we all have a part to play in deciding where we go from here. Where do you stand? Will you advocate for preservation and sprawl, or push for change and density? This is your moment to speak up and define the future of our city.

Interesting to see economic growth being a top priority for the new Government; here's my take on it from a Local Government perspective with Matt Masters

Click the link below to learn more about the efforts of Mayor Greg Fraunfelter to make the City of Logan, Ohio the best place to be for its residents and visitors! Great article, Alyssa Manning!

And now for something completely different, and fascinating. Over half the people in OK and WY think they are Midwesterners, and almost half in CO. Even a significant portion of people in ID think they are in the Midwest, but some natives in ID think it's due to so many from CA moving in (in at least one case they are correct). It's understandable to me why people living in the Great Plains might think of themselves as from the Midwest, which includes the eastern part of MT, WY, CO, and NM, and most of ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, and TX (eastern TX climate is more like the deep south along the Gulf of Mexico). The geography and to some extent regional economies of the Great Plains are more similar to the Midwest, and of course they overlap. The climate has some similarities. The Rockies provide an abrupt change in every respect of course. I like the Rockies -- mountains feel like home to me. I lived a few years of my childhood in the Midwest, East Coast, and West TX (+3 years in Europe), and the cultures are still quite different in my mind. The Midwest and West TX were closer culturally than East Coast where I lived (Virginia). The people in the Midwest and TX were indeed much nicer than either coast, and the cultures were more welcoming. The West Coast, where I spent nearly 2 decades, was far more cliquish (probably where I picked up some bad habits), and AZ where I spent nearly two decades was quite different -- sort of a mix between the Midwest, West Coast, and Rockies (Scottsdale was more like S CA, Prescott more like CO). NM, where I've lived for 15 years now, has the most complex culture of anywhere I've lived other than perhaps Europe. Similar to WA, the mountains provide a sharp divide in culture and economy in NM -- liberal to the west and conservative to the east. NM evolved from early Native American culture and was then colonized by Spain about 500 years ago, Mexico, and then U.S. NM never integrated as much into the U.S. culture as AZ, TX, or CA, all of which have similar history in the southern portions of the states. NM is still dominated politically by Hispanic heritage with an unusually strong component of statism that aligns with Native American tribalism from an economic perspective. Some scholars think it's the legacy of colonization combined with less migration and mixing of cultures as was the case in TX, AZ, and CA. In any event, culture as it relates to physical place, history, climate, and economy are all very interesting. Like many kids who were born into a military family, I've never really had a home. The closest is WA where my wife was born and raised and I spent most of my school years. As one old friend who has lived half his life in NM said - "you'd need to have been born and raised in NM for it to feel like home". Certainly nothing about the NM culture has ever made us feel like home. Some of the people have, but not the state.

Warrior to Love: Show-Up I recently had an inspiring meeting with Councilman Michael Boylan from Jacksonville City Council District 6. It reminded me of the power of community engagement and the importance of taking action to drive change. Years ago, I considered a political career, but my wife and I decided it wasn't the right path for us. Instead, I focused on connecting with our local representatives, believing that true change starts with us. During our conversation, we discussed the book "A Quiet Revolution," which explores the history of Jacksonville's consolidation. Jacksonville Historical Society Both Councilman Boylan and I share a passion for history and a vision for progress in our city. We reflected on the challenges and the numerous failed attempts to unite and advance Jacksonville over the years. One of the biggest questions remains: how do you unite a community divided in the largest city by land mass in the USA? While I am still working on the answer, I know that getting involved and building relationships is a significant step forward. As a private citizen, I've had the privilege of connecting with some of the best professionals and actively participating in our community. My passion lies in solving problems and fostering resilience in relationships. Nothing happens unless you make it happen. It takes everyone to participate in creating and sustaining livable communities. Everything starts with you! Let's take action, show up, and work together to make City of Jacksonville the best place to live on earth. #CommunityEngagement #LocalLeadership #Jacksonville #WarriorToLove #ShowUp #Inspiration #TakeAction

List: Top Family-Friendly U.S. Cities Charleston, South Carolina, has been ranked as the most family-friendly city in America, according to a new study by Rustic Pathways. The research analyzed 323 cities based on factors including affordability, safety, and available family activities. Florida emerged as a particularly family-friendly state, with three cities—Clearwater, Orlando, and Cape Coral—ranking in the top five. https://lnkd.in/g_ZR2ykx

Success in business is a journey, not a destination. At Webster + Granville, we believe in pushing forward, embracing challenges, and never stopping until we achieve greatness. Keep striving, keep growing. #WebsterGranville #HumbleConfidence #BusinessJourney #NeverStop #Perseverance #MarketingConsultancy