Nearly 60 local leaders and funding partners representing 20 municipalities across St. Clair County gathered on May 19 for the Community Foundation’s first Rural & Small Town Summit, a collaborative day focused on strengthening the future of the region’s smaller communities.

Township supervisors, clerks, and elected officials came together to share ideas, identify gaps, and explore opportunities that could help rural communities thrive together rather than tackle issues alone.

“We don’t do this nearly enough,” noted Cheryl Wadsworth, Brockway Township Clerk.  “It was powerful to be in a room with people from across the county who face similar challenges and share the same vision for our residents.”

The summit centered around identifying the most pressing priorities facing rural and small-town communities today. Through facilitated discussions and deeper breakout conversations, four key focus areas emerged:

• Outdoor Recreation & Amenities
• Public Gathering Spaces
• Leadership & Volunteering
• Entrepreneurship & Economic Development

In addition to these focus areas, there was discussion surrounding family support, zoning, and brownfield redevelopment opportunities.

Most importantly, though, the gathering revealed a strong desire among communities to collaborate, share resources, and learn from one another.

“It was great for so many reasons. It’s all about connections!” said Bonnie DiNardo, St. Clair Township Clerk.

Throughout the day, attendees shared practical ideas that ranged from coordinating shared equipment and amenities to pooling funds for projects that would otherwise be difficult for a single community to accomplish alone.

For example, Greg Abbey, Cottrellville Township Supervisor, suggested the purchase of a shared outdoor movie screen, so communities could coordinate its use for local gatherings throughout the area.

Another consistent theme was the desire for stronger and more meaningful community engagement. Many participants expressed challenges in finding ways to encourage greater local participation in planning and volunteer efforts.

The summit reinforced the vital role that service organizations continue to play in rural communities. Groups like Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs, Elks Lodges, Moose Lodges, and other volunteer-driven organizations were repeatedly identified as critical partners in helping move local projects forward.

The gathering reflects the Community Foundation’s growing commitment to supporting rural and small-town communities throughout St. Clair County by helping local leaders connect, collaborate, and pursue projects that strengthen the quality of life for residents.

“The forum was excellent,” said Rob Usakowski, Kimball Township Supervisor. “Our board appreciates the Community Foundation’s efforts on behalf of Kimball Township.”

As a next step, the Community Foundation will help convene an ongoing collaborative focused on connecting communities to resources, sharing ideas and best practices, and building stronger partnerships around the priority areas identified during the summit.

“When rural communities and small towns have opportunities to learn from one another and work together, it creates momentum that benefits the entire region,” said Jackie Hanton, Vice President of the Community Foundation. “The energy in the room confirmed that our small towns care deeply about their future and are eager to continue building solutions together.”