Inspiring the Valley City Community
“Community Impressions,” a North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension program, allows communities to get an honest feel for how a visitor may see their town. Jodi Bruns, NDSU Leadership and Civic Engagement Specialist shares, “This program is designed to help build healthy vibrant communities, a 21st century workforce, and a smart, efficient infrastructure.” She says the program focuses on a group of selected volunteers who make unannounced visits to each other’s town, then report their findings to the other town’s residents and community leaders. Bruns says the idea is to help communities learn about their strengths and weaknesses through the eyes of a first-time visitor, then use that information to improve themselves.
A group of four volunteers from Oakes, ND Kausha Magill, Rebecca Undem, Shana Ulmer and Nicole Cline - were asked to assess Valley City during their November visit.
Magill, Oakes Chamber Director, and Undem, Oakes Economic Development Director, shared their Valley City visit and suggestions for opportunities to improve our community, with Kiwanis members, residents and community leaders March 15th at the Eagles.
Their visit assessment was based on signage and wayfinding, community interaction, housing impressions, overall aesthetic appeal, overall impression of business community, tourism and visitor experience. The following are a few of the mentioned group findings during their visit.
Signage and Wayfinding: From the south and the west the group felt that Valley City offered great welcome signage with the exception that the hospital and airport are only noted at one location and from the east there were no welcome signs. Their suggestions were to ensure the hospital is noted at each entrance and to make the most use of the interstate access as possible while also adding a welcome sign to greet visitors at the east entrance.
Community Interactions:
As is the North Dakota way, everyone the group visited with during their visit, they said, were very friendly and helpful as to recommendations of where to eat, hotels to stay at and pointing them towards Central Avenue for shopping. They did however encounter a gas station attendant who’s response when asked for tips on what to do while visiting the area, responded with, “There isn’t much to do here.”
The group suggested considering creating a “What Makes Valley City Special” list to train our frontline workers, expressing pride in your home
town businesses, attractions and seasonal things we offer for all ages.
Housing Observations: The group stated that the eastside apartments seemed almost kind of random and also praised the new home development on north end of town mixed in with apartments and more established homes. The twin homes next to assisted living and also close to the nursing home seemed a smart little retirement/transitionary home situation they said.
Business Community: Their visit to the coffee shop offered them good service and a look at what they called a ‘nice place for gathering’.
The bookstore proprietor was very informative and interactive with the group sharing with them all things wonderful that Valley City has to offer. They said all the boutiques, stores and bakery were filled with friendly people and that hardware store was amazing and seemed to have everything one could need or want.
Aesthetic appeal suggestions from the group included considering potential ways to modernize the overall look of the downtown area, adding in street art or sculptures. Perhaps a greenspace or gathering spot with updated features to balance history with the future.
Susan Milender, NDSU Extension Agent in Barnes County and member of the local Community Impressions committee, shares that “Most communities, like people, don’t realize what type of impression they portray to visitors because they conceptualize their town in a certain way and assume others see their town in the same light.” Through the exchange program a group of Valley City volunteers will now visit Oakes to offer them the same suggestions and insight into their community. Milender believes that “hearing about your town’s assets from an outside, unbiased perspective gives us all the opportunity to view our community in a new light and develop a list of action items for community development.”
She wrapped up the meeting by encouraging all participants to share, act on, or bring their ideas to light with the committee members. She says, “This isn’t a how are THEY going to change this. This is a how are WE going to change this situation, working together to make Valley City better.”
The Community Impressions Program team members include Andrea Nelson, Erin Metcalf, Macy Schlaht, Trinity Nelson, Alicia Harstad and Susan Milender.