Today, Franklin is a step closer to a downtown that could fundamentally transform its economic trajectory without changing its small, mountain town nature.
If local leaders and the hundreds of residents who have participated so far accomplish their goals, Franklin will be more beautiful and economically resilient and vibrant while retaining its historically authentic character for generations to come.
There is a data-driven case to be made that locally-owned, “mom-and-pop” small businesses are more important than big box corporations, especially when talking about a small town’s downtown.
This is where Urban3 founder Joe Minicozzi and local residents come in. On Tuesday, Aug. 4 the public is invited to hear his ideas behind building stronger communities. The free presentation “Building Better Communities” will be held at Tartan Hall inside First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church St., Franklin.
“The presentation comes at a pivotal moment for Franklin,” said Stacy Guffey, Franklin’s mayor. “Minicozzi’s presentation offers residents an opportunity to better understand the economic principles that can help guide our efforts to shape the future of downtown.”
Recently, the Town of Franklin launched a $200,000 Downtown Transformation Strategy while the newly formed Main Street Franklin Inc. works to regain the community’s designation in the North Carolina Main Street program.
Joe Minicozzi is the founder and principal of Urban3, and his presentations are eye-opening. Through an approach known as Geoaccounting, Minicozzi uses local data, maps and visualizations to show how different types of development contribute to a community’s financial health.
His work challenges communities to think beyond traditional growth by asking a different question: Which development patterns create the greatest long-term value for taxpayers, local businesses and the community as a whole?
The event is free and open to the public.
Urban3 has worked with more than 150 communities across the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, helping local leaders understand how development decisions affect long-term economic sustainability. That conversation is especially relevant in Franklin today.
The Town’s efforts
The Town’s Downtown Transformation Strategy will establish a long-range vision for downtown, identifying opportunities for economic development, infrastructure improvements, public spaces and placemaking. At the same time, Main Street Franklin Inc. is building the volunteer network, partnerships and organizational structure necessary to pursue designation in the North Carolina Main Street program, which helps communities strengthen their downtowns through economic vitality, historic preservation, design and promotion.
“While each initiative serves a different purpose, they are all working toward the same goal: creating a downtown that is economically resilient, historically authentic and vibrant for generations to come,” said Guffey.
Minicozzi’s presentation offers residents an opportunity to see how those pieces fit together. His research demonstrates that thriving downtowns are not simply attractive places to visit—they are often among a community’s strongest economic assets, supporting local entrepreneurs, generating tax revenue efficiently and creating places where people want to gather, invest and live.
Town Manager Amie Owens also believes public input is critical, “Community participation will play an important role in Franklin’s success. The Downtown Transformation Strategy will rely heavily on public input, and the North Carolina Main Street program is built on volunteer leadership and community engagement. Organizers hope the presentation will inspire residents, business owners and property owners to become part of the conversation about Franklin’s future.”
Whether someone has lived in Franklin for decades or recently made it home, the decisions made over the next several years will help shape downtown for generations. Understanding the economic ideas behind those decisions can help ensure Franklin grows in a way that supports locally owned businesses, preserves its historic character and strengthens the entire community.
Admission is free to Minicozzi’s presentation. It will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, in Tartan Hall at First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church St., Franklin. and all members of the public are encouraged to attend.
