Asking the Tough Questions

When Steve Hewitt took the job as city administrator for Greensburg, Kansas, in 2006, there was nothing extraordinary about this town of 1,400 people. In fact it was typical of a lot of small Midwestern towns; a declining population, struggling with new economic development, and their leading export was “youth.”

Less than a year later, however, everything that was Greensburg was gone and all that was left was an opportunity. And, a question, “What if we built the town back as a ‘green community?’”

 

 Steve Hewitt, City Administrator of Greensburg, Kansas [35:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

On the Way to Greensburg

I’m not sure you can take a direct path to Greensburg. I can’t seem to. I always plan to get there nearer the May 4th Anniversary or earlier in the day when I finally do get headed that way. In my mind, I’m thinking that the boring state highway to the north and “the scenic route” that I was on, were likely equidistant. Wrong. Late again!

Once Upon A Time…Embracing the Story

“Story” is the important ingredient of all meaningful communication. It has a deep-rooted connection in all of us. We are hard wired to accept new information based on how convincingly and relevantly it is presented to us. The big question is, “how can you make your story, more about them!” And, how do you spread those stories?

“Making the Tornado, History”

You’ll hear a lot about the Greensburg story in other places, but we discussed it from the perspective of rebuilding the business community and economy. Interviews with Mike & Kelly Estes, Daniel Wallach and Chuck Banks.

 

 Mike & Kelly Estes [24:21m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

 

 Daniel Wallach [16:19m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

 

 Chuck Banks [11:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

 

 Rep. Dennis McKinney, Kansas House Minority Leader [15:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

 

 Carmen Stauth, K-State Research & Extension: Play Now | Play in Popup

 

 Stephen Kirk of Centera Bank [11:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

Greensburg Greentown

The other thing I saw in Greensburg is they’re all learning new things. The guys at the John Deere dealership are throwing around Leed Platinum like everybody knows what it is. (I submit that less that 2 in 10, do.) Carmen Stauth at the K-State Extension office is working on less agricultural things and more on business redevelopment.

Ever Greensburg

There are a couple of things that impressed me about Greensburg. One, everybody is singing from the same sheet of music. The green initiative is on everyone’s lips. Second, they are all quite positive. These are genuinely hardworking people, taking personal and business risks to make sure that their community survives.

To me, this is probably the main difference between what happened in Greensburg and what happened in New Orleans.

Show Schedule for May 1st, 2008

“Making the Tornado, History” a Salute to Greensburg, Kansas
Welcome to a very interesting and busy week all over Kansas and Missouri. We have taken on the Greensburg story with a passion. You’ll hear a lot about it in other places, but our shows will talk about it from the perspective of rebuilding the business community […]

Your Prescription for a Road Trip

I have a recommendation for those times of stress, times that you’re feeling tired, or just a bit grumpy. When you’re not feeling your usual, productive, self.

Get out of town. Take a break. Hit the road. Load up the car with bottled water, Twizzlers and your favorite tunes and get-out-of-Dodge…unless you’re from Dodge. Then, by all means get out.