My Town Hustle

Latest Episodes:

EP 40 - Relevant or Irrelevant Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

With so many issues demanding our attention, it is often difficult to decide between what’s important and what is relevant to our daily lives. As community advocates and stakeholders this is also true as we work to understand which issues we should be spending our time, energy, and effort on. In this episode, we will recount a recent conversation where this very question came up, and we discuss how easy it is to get tied up in issues that ultimately don’t directly impact our daily lives and overlook the most relevant concerns.

Who’s on it?
Jared Perry
Sam Tuten
Bret Allphin

Recorded
June 2021

Resources

The Great Game of Business

Questions?

Email us at support@mytownhustle.com

Shout Out!

As always thank you to The Saylor for the hot jams. Check him out NOW on iTunes and Spotify

EP 39 - Population Decline May 28, 2021

Show notes

Many communities recognize that there aren’t as many folks around town as there used to be. Why is that? In this episode, we will talk about a fascinating series of articles published in 2020 on www.westsb.com called “More People.” The articles focus on how the population of South Bend, Indiana fell by 50,000 people in 50 years. We’ll be talking about if any of the lessons learned from South Bend can apply to rural communities, especially those in Appalachia. If this hasn’t exactly happened in our community yet, what steps can we take to avoid it? Hot takes, quips, and laughter included.

Who's on it?
Jared Perry
Sam Tuten
Bret Allphin

Recorded
May 2021

Resources
West.SB - A New Read on South Bend

Questions?
Email us at support@mytownhustle.com

Shout Out!
As always thank you to The Saylor for the hot jams. Check him out NOW on iTunes and Spotify

EP 38 - DORA Update May 12, 2021

Show notes

It’s the remix! DORA legislation successfully passed in Marietta in late April 2021. In this episode, Sam and Bret give updates and lessons learned on the DORA process since we last talked about it on Episode 2 in July 2020. We will give five key points that we have learned through the community engagement process that other communities should be thinking about as they create their DORA programming. If you aren't in Ohio, listen and learn more about Ohio's Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area as a model on how to get this creative economic tool for your downtown. Moderately hot takes are included as always.

Who's on it?
Sam Tuten
Bret Allphin

Recorded
May 2021

Resources
DORA at the Banks - Cincinnati

Questions?
Email us at support@mytownhustle.com
Shout Out!
As always thank you to The Saylor for the hot jams. Check him out NOW on iTunes and Spotify
Photo provided by City of Hamilton, Ohio

EP 37 - Future of Rural Transportation Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

Transportation is a key challenge facing all aspects of daily life for citizens, especially for folks living in rural communities. On this episode, Sam and Bret give their ideas about how new technologies could improve transportation options in rural communities. Bret also gives our listeners a preview of comments he’ll be delivering at an upcoming transportation panel on the topic. Don't worry, Jared will be back next week to herd all the cats that were turned loose on this episode.

Who’s on it?
Sam Tuten
Bret Allphin

Recorded
April 2021

Resources

Energy News Network Article – Maine and Obstacles to EV Adoption

DriveOhio – Automated Driving Systems Project

PAVE Workshop – Preparing Ohio for the Autonomous Future

Questions?
Email us at support@mytownhustle.com
Shout Out!

As always thank you to The Saylor for the hot jams. Check him out NOW on iTunes and Spotify

EP 36 - Failing Forward Apr 21, 2021

Show notes

Everyone fails! Failing is an important part of learning and improving. This is just as true for individuals and private businesses as it is for governments. On this episode, we’ll talk about some of the stereotypes and fears that hold our governments back from trying the new and innovative ideas that residents may be demanding. We’ll be highlighting a recent report from the Centre for Public Impact that provides details on why governments must fail forward to succeed. Hot takes and storytimes included as always.

Who’s on it?
Jared Perry
Sam Tuten
Bret Allphin

Recorded
April 2021

Resources
Centre for Public Impact – Governments Must Fail Forward to Succeed.

Questions?
Email us at support@mytownhustle.com

Shout Out!

As always thank you to The Saylor for the hot jams. Check him out NOW on iTunes and Spotify

EP 35 - Reimagine Public Employment Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

We support public employees of all types – some of us have been public employees! We also know that a reimagining of some public positions could help our small communities prosper and become increasingly resilient. In this episode, we will introduce the book ‘Strongtowns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity’ by Charles Marohn Jr.’ We will take a look at three key positions – City Engineer, City Planner, and Economic Development – and discuss how the Strongtowns approach re-envisions those positions.

Who’s on it?
Jared Perry
Sam Tuten
Bret Allphin

Recorded
April 2021

Resources

Strong Towns – www.strongtowns.org

Link to the Strong Towns Book - https://www.strongtowns.org/book

204 Front Street – Street View (Switch between 2007 and 2019 to see the transformation of the building.)

Wealthworks - https://www.wealthworks.org/

Questions?
Email us at support@mytownhustle.com

Shout Out!
As always thank you to The Saylor for the hot jams. Check him out NOW on iTunes and Spotify

EP 34 - Parklet Debrief Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

Is there enough public space or seating in the downtown you love to visit? Have you ever wondered how a community could quickly (and cheaply) implement more outdoor seating? A parklet may be for you! Join us as we discuss a pop-up parklet we built in conjunction with a local Main Street first Friday event in April 2021. We’ll talk about what we did, how we did it, and how you could do something similar in your town. The lesson from this episode is – find a way to try out your ideas!

Who’s on it?
Jared Perry
Sam Tuten
Bret Allphin

Recorded
April 2021

Resources
My Town Hustle Insights Blog

Great examples of how to design and build more substantial parklets.

San Francisco Parklet Program

Seattle Parklet Handbook - the program details are intense but provides excellent parklet design specifications.

Questions?
Email us at support@mytownhustle.com

Shout Out!
As always thank you to The Saylor for the hot jams. Check him out NOW on iTunes and Spotify

EP 33 - Placemaking Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

Investing in the quality of our places is perhaps more important now than ever before. Creating communities where people want to live, work, and have fun is challenging. Doing this effectively in rural communities is. In this episode, we each offer an idea about an area of focus that can help you get started on this journey. We also threw in a few free sports references, and hot takes from an unlikely source.

Who’s on it?
Jared Perry
Sam Tuten
Bret Allphin

Recorded
March 2021

Resources
https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/benefits-placemaking-go-beyond-urban-beautification/240971/

https://theroyaltourblog.com/2018/03/05/urban-beautification/

https://www.pps.org/article/5-steps-to-making-places

https://www.cnu.org/publicsquare/four-types-placemaking

Questions?
Email us at support@mytownhustle.com

Shout Out!
As always thank you to The Saylor for the hot jams. Check him out NOW on iTunes and Spotify

Photo Credit for Episode Artwork!
Marietta Main Street

EP 32 - American Rescue Plan Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

In March the American Rescue Plan was passed and signed by President Biden, providing over $360 billion in relief funding and programming in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we talk about what this funding means for rural communities, how it can be used, important program timelines, and considerations that local stakeholders should be analyzing as this funding becomes available. We’ll also give a brief overview of previous stimulus and relief packages and how those differ from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan. Hot takes and fun facts included as always!

Who’s on it?
Jared Perry
Sam Tuten
Bret Allphin

Recorded
March 2021

Resources
American Rescue Plan Text:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1319/text

National Association of Counties – State and Local Recovery Funds:
https://www.naco.org/resources/featured/state-and-local-coronavirus-fiscal-recovery-funds.

National Association of Counties – ARP Update Slides (great detail):
https://www.naco.org/sites/default/files/event_attachments/MembershipCall_MAR112021.pdf

United States Conference of Mayors – American Rescue Plan Overview:

https://www.usmayors.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/USCM-American-Rescue-Plan-Overview.pdf

Economic Development Administration – Awarded $3 billion in additional funding for grant-making and programming:

https://www.eda.gov/

Questions?
Email us at support@mytownhustle.com

Shout Out!
As always thank you to The Saylor for the hot jams. Check him out NOW on iTunes and Spotify

Photo Credit for Episode Artwork!
Justin Cron on Unsplash

EP 31 - Ask The Lawyer: What is Preemption? Mar 16, 2021

Show notes

Preemption, huh? What happens when local regulations conflict with state statutes? What about when state laws conflict with federal regulations? To what lengths can local officials go in creating policy that best serves local communities? Our special guest Adam Schwendeman from Theisen & Brock law firm talks with us about the concept of preemption, and how this concept impacts local communities when it comes to implementing policies. Preemption is an example of a topic that makes us more passionate about our local communities. Sometimes, it can be a double-edged sword for local control but to fully understand it, we'll dive briefly back into the start of the United States. If you have never heard of this concept and how it may impact local communities, listen in to learn more!

Who’s on it?

Jared Perry
Sam Tuten
Bret Allphin
Adam Schwendeman, a lawyer for Theisen & Brock in Marietta, Ohio.

Recorded
March 2021

Resources
State by State Analysis of Preemption by the National League of Cities

Preemption Laws in the State of Ohio by Giffords Law Center

An article by the BarJournal of State Preemption in Ohio about Fracking

Info on the Supremacy Clause & the Doctrine of Preemption

State of Ohio passes ban on Plastic Bag Ban

Questions?

Email us at support@mytownhustle.com

Shout Out!
As always thank you to The Saylor for the hot jams. Check him out NOW on iTunes and Spotify