An interest meeting for 'Mighty Macomb,' which is part of the national 'Strong Towns' movement, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 17 in Western Illinois University's Sandburg Lounge (lower level, University Union).
The initial meeting was originally scheduled for Dec. 13, but was canceled due to the blizzard conditions that hit the region that day. WIU MBA Graduate Student Omokheshi Adurodija is behind Macomb's chapter. The national 'Strong Towns' organization was officially launched by three citizens in Brainerd, MN in November 2009. By 2023, there were over 170 active 'Local Conversations' (community- led groups) and 290+ Local Strong Towns groups, with numbers growing weekly.
'I decided to jump start this initiative because good infrastructure and walkability is something that I care deeply about and think a lot of communities could benefit from,' Adurodija told the Community News Brief last fall.
'Any resident is welcome to join the group.'
'Mighty Macomb' will meet twice a month, beginning with its initial interest meeting Jan. 17, to discuss such topics as street utility, public transportation and other matters of concern so members are empowered to notice things that can be improved on in the community, he added. To get involved, individuals are asked to complete the interest form tinyurl.com/MightyMacombInterest and show up at the Jan. 17 meeting.
'I believe this initiative is important for cities like Macomb because a lack of knowledge may be the only thing preventing someone from making a change in their city that will benefit other people as well,' Adurodija shared. 'I also think that more affordable cities like Macomb will start to see a rise in population in the future and the knowledge of members of the community will be essential to sustainable expansion.'
Strong Towns chapters create change gradually, progressing through four stages, he pointed out. The initial interest and formation of a group is stage one, while the following three phases are focused on education and connection with the community. When a chapter reaches its final stage, that's when changes begin to take place through petitions and/or self-run beautification/safety projects.
Funding for the new organization is solely through Adurodija, who is paying for initial expenses to get the group up and running. He is exploring alternative funding opportunities, and is working to ensure that there are no financial barriers that prevent anyone from getting involved.
For more information, email [email protected], and follow the group on Instagram at mightymacomb.
