Letter
To The
Editor
(Editor’s Note: Letters to the Editor are published to encourage our readers to express their views about various issues. The following letter(s) were submitted and signed by those voicing their opinions through the “Letter To The Editor” section)
Can Eureka Prosper Again?
After decades of declining population and economic depression, can Eureka prosper again? Yes! There are many examples of small towns stopping decades of population and economic decline. Humboldt, Lindsborg, Abilene, Cottonwood Falls, Strong City, Council Grove, Liberal, Garden City, and Greensburg are all examples of stopping population economic decline. These communities found their own formula to reinvent themselves into a new reality out of decay and decline. Will they recover to their former glory? That’s not the point. They have become something new, sustainable, comfortable and attractive.
While Eureka and many rural towns were declining over the decades, the big cities were growing rapidly. The big cities offered opportunity, services, and excitement the rural towns could not. This trend is changing. There is a movement back to the small rural communities. So, why are some people choosing to move to small communities?
Remote working allows workers to choose where they want to live.
Young families and retirees want lower costs, quality of life, and a sense of community.
People choose rural communities because of big city problems.
Renovated downtowns attract new people to the community.
The trend is real and it is possible for Eureka to recover and prosper again. How does that happen? Quick internet searches will reveal that other communities implemented various changes to stimulate growth and recovery. Below are some of those changes:
•Installation of broadband internet Fixed essential infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, public safety)
•Leveraged existing facilities (repurposed old buildings into community centers
•Created coworking spaces and business incubators
•Facilitated remote work migration
•Facilitated tourism
•Revitalized downtown to attract newcomers
•Facilitated access to lower housing costs for young families
•Promoted the community as a retirement destination
•Attracted small businesses What are some of the things that make Eureka special?
•We are not the big city; we are rural.
•We are close to the big city.
•We have a lower cost of living.
•We are community oriented.
•We have friendly people.
There is peace and tranquility not found in other cities.
•Eureka is situated in the Flint Hills
•Eureka Lake is nearby.
•Horse racing
•Eureka is a Main Street city Yes, Eureka can recover. Eureka can reinvent itself. We can clean up our blight, become presentable, and attract both young and older people to our community. Yes, we can attract new home construction. We can attract small businesses. We can renovate our downtown. We can become a vibrant community again. Let’s all catch the vision.
Dan Campbell
