Strongest Town 2023, Round 2: Selma, NC vs. Brattleboro, VT
Welcome to the second round match-up in the eighth annual Strongest Town Contest! In this round, eight towns are facing off, and four will advance to the next segment of the contest based on your votes. We invite you to review photos and captions representatives from these communities provided to demonstrate the strength and resilience of their town or city—then vote for the strongest candidate!
Can’t decide? If you’re looking for inspiration, check out how we describe the Strong Towns approach.
You may vote once per match-up. Round 2 voting closes at noon CT on Thursday, March 30. For rules, and to follow along with the contest, visit the Strongest Town Contest page.
Note: All entries are lightly edited for clarity and readability.
VOTING FOR THIS ROUND IS NOW CLOSED. RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON FRIDAY, MARCH 31.
BRATTLEBORO, VT
Entry submitted by: Sarah Lang, Planning Commission Member; Tom Mosakowski, Planning Commission Chair; Sue Fillion, Planning Services Director for the Town of Brattleboro; Stephen Hayes, Planning Technician for the Town of Brattleboro.
(Source: Seth Thomas.)
With Vermont being one of the oldest states in the Union and Windham County being one of the oldest counties in the state, Brattleboro values its seniors and has a very active Senior Center. 24% of the town’s population is 65 and older. Here is a photo from the 2023 Valentines Day celebration at the Senior Center. Active seniors are a huge benefit to the town!
(Source: Josh Carnes.)
Being located in New England, Brattleboro loves its snow, but we also take our snow clean-up seriously to provide safe driving, walking, and biking conditions for our residents and visitors.
(Source: Josh Carnes.)
Brattleboro is located at the confluence of the Connecticut River and West River. Within walking distance of downtown, we have access to lots of recreational activities, such as hiking, kayaking, and ice fishing. Additionally, we are working on converting the island (seen in photo) into a pedestrian space/park.
(Source: Tim Wessel.)
Brattleboro has a very vibrant arts scene. We wanted to specifically highlight this mural on High Street because of its innovative way of being financed and implemented. This project participated in Vemont’’s Better Places Grant, which utilized crowdfunding to raise part of the funds to implement the project. It was a joint effort by artists Daniel Chiaccio (artist, printmaker, and owner of First Proof Press in Brattleboro), Calvin Laituri (designer and illustrator), and local refugees from the group ArtLords (based in Kabul, Afghanistan), a grassroots movement of artists and volunteers motivated by the desire to pave the way for social transformation and behavioral change through employing the soft power of art and culture as a non-intrusive approach.
(Source: Kelly Fletcher.)
Happening the first Friday of every month from May through December, Gallery Walk is an event run by the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance. The event includes closing off Elliot Street to set up a stage for live music and a beer tent, as well as the Brattleboro Flea, which showcases local arts and craft makers, food vendors, and shops downtown. This is an event that almost every resident comes to, it seems. It showcases a walkable, pedestrian friendly downtown and adds vibrancy to streets.
SELMA, NC
Entry submitted by: Byron McAllister, Mayor; Rhonda Sommer, Interim Town Manager. Activate Selma: Kim Wooten, President; Ron Hester, Vice President; Heidi Hester, Treasurer; Mike Jentes, Secretary; Chandler Pernell, Content Manager; Jeffery Hamilton and Cindy Brookshire, Co-Founders.
Mayor Byron McAllister is often seen pulling his children in a wagon and pausing to chat and type notes in his phone. Our walk/bike score is 67/52 out of 100; nearby Raleigh is 31/39.
Chandler Pernell is part of Activate Selma, which meets weekly for community conversations that spark change with “we don’t complain, we take action.” High school students are painting “activate alleys” around our creative town.
The local Miss Hispanic Heritage pageant was begun by Sergio Benitez, who once sold dresses from his garage. He now owns his own building, and his Sola Creations Boutique draws customers in the quinceañera market from the Virginia border to Lumberton, North Carolina.
The Selma Police Department is committed to fairness, compassion, and excellence in providing police services in accordance with the law, while staying sensitive to the priorities and needs of the community.
We block off streets to welcome thousands of people for our three-day Railroad Days Festival, holiday parades, and more. Walking is a priority on Selma’s platform of wealth.