Nearly 10 local residents, including two Western Illinois University graduate students, attended the initial interest meeting for “Mighty Macomb” Saturday on WIU’s campus.
The local effort, led by WIU MBA Graduate Student Omokheshi Adurodija, is part of the national “Strong Towns” organization, which 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.
During the Jan. 17 meeting, Adurodija recorded the group’s goals, and listened to feedback about what could make Macomb a safer, more sustainable and more accessible community in terms of walkability, housing and transportation options. Two target goals were identified at the meeting: connectivity throughout town in terms of safer streets and walkability, and zoning reform for housing and home-based businesses, including commercial zoning near WIU, and making Macomb’s housing more affordable and attainable.
Going forward “Mighty Macomb” will meet twice a month to begin working on action items, while also getting other community organizations and entities involved.
“In the coming months, our target goals will become more concrete and we can begin doing more to reach out to the city and others,” Adurodija explained.
To become a part of the local organization, individuals are asked to complete the interest form tinyurl.com/Mighty-MacombInterest. The group is open to all members of the Macomb community, including students.
Strong Towns chapters create change gradually, progressing through four stages. 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.
For more information, email Mightymacomb@gmail. com, and follow the group on Instagram at mightymacomb.
