InterCity Adventures

Through the Eyes of Attendees

I love the outdoors. Whenever I travel, I always take my running shoes and my bike if I can. I enjoy exploring areas that most travelers never see from the window of their cars or the sidewalks of busy streets. There is something about it that makes you feel more connected with the community you are in.

When I was invited to go on the Evansville and Waco intercity trips one of the first things I did was research their trail systems. Evansville has quite an extensive network of multi-use trails and bike lanes, which I learned was a recent development. Waco has a well-established trail system within Cameron Park and had just won the bid to host an Ironman® . Both of these cities saw the economic impact expanding and improving their trails could have on their communities and made them a priority.

This gave me hope that new trails could be created and old ones could be brought back to life in Longview. I shared these experiences with the Comprehensive Plan Action Committee, new trails and bike lanes were included in our 2018 bond recommendations and the citizens of Longview overwhelmingly voted in favor. Since then, several miles of new trails have been created, old trails are being resurfaced and bike lanes will be incorporated into several street renovations. None of this may have happened in my lifetime without the leadership GARY FORD of our Chamber of Commerce, intercity visits and the vision to create a Woolley G’s Bike & Fitness comprehensive plan. The foundation has been laid and this is just the beginning of many quality-of-life improvements for our city.

JENN WARE CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health Systerm JAMES HOCKENBERRY Longview ISD

The future is bright in Longview and I am proud to call it home!

Marvelous and unforgettable are two words that immediately come to mind upon

reflecting on the three days in Tulsa. Yet, what we experienced was more than look at what Tulsa built or developed. The essence of Tulsa’s emergence is founded on a cooperative spirit. Shared values, cultural responsiveness, and commitment to equity and revitalization are building blocks of their collaboration. Those guiding principles are evident in the collaborative efforts to support innovators along their journey to successful business owners.

Specifically, the Mother Road Market was an impressive illustration of how their community came together to dream big. A large open concept of shared space for talented start-up cooks and culinary artists to showcase their unique and divine cuisines for Tulsa residents and tourists left me in awe. This place of wonder not only created opportunity but is also fed (no pun intended) a cultural renaissance, revitalization, and social gathering epicenter for many.

Our Longview community, its tourists, and its aspiring culinary artists could greatly benefit from a similar model. That’s why upon returning, a group of the similarly inspired people formed the Foodie Task Force. The Foodies have met twice so far to brainstorm and learn what’s currently in the works for the Longview food scene. The Task Force is still in its early phases, focused on gathering information and identifying potential focus areas. There are definitely some exciting ideas on the horizon!

The intercity experience is time well spent reminiscing on past accomplishments, current missions and vision, and future possibilities. But, above all else, it is a fantastic reminder that anything is possible when we respect differences, work together, and embrace one another’s aspirations.

Moreover, the Longview Chamber of Commerce steering committees are busy shaping and sharpening great ideas. As such, a greater tomorrow and improved Longview awaits.

Waco

“I really hope my child comes back home to Longview once he finishes college.” If I’ve heard that statement once in my last 20 years in Longview, I’ve heard it a hun-

dred times. And, now, I find myself saying the same thing to my friends. But how can we make that happen? I believe we found a solution that can help make that wish a reality for our families.

MARY ANN MILLER

City of Longview Recently, a group of community leaders took an InterCity trip to Tulsa, Oklahoma. While there, we heard from the Executive Director of “Campus Tulsa”, a 501c3 that is dedicated to connecting Tulsa’s college students to businesses in Tulsa needing summer interns with the students’ chosen profession. The “Campus Tulsa” program also connects the students to one another, broadening their network within their town. Although this was Campus Tulsa’s inaugural year, their program was fashioned after “Campus Philly” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “Campus Philly” proves that this program works. Since they began in the early 2000s, “Campus Philly” has been responsible for a 115% increase in Philadelphians age 25-34 with college degrees. Greater Philadelphia also retains 54% of its regional college students. Can you imagine if we were able to retain 54% of our high school and college students in Longview? That would make an already great city even better! We are currently conducting conversations with “Campus Philly” and “Campus Tulsa” to learn how to create “Campus Longview” and build momentum behind this initiative.