Small Town, Big Dreams
“This country is made up of small towns and big dreams.” Thus said Brian Mulroney, Canadian retired politician who served as the 18th prime minister of Canada. The same can certainly be said of America, where small towns dot the country and strive to grow in viability and sustainability. To be sustainable, a town must bring value to the people who work and live there. And it is equally important that town leadership persevere and keep telling their story to any organization that can provide grants for infrastructure, parks, and buildings. This is the story of one small town, and how BRIGET told their story so that they won a $50K grant (and possibly more).
Founded in 1840 in California, Guadalupe was named after Our Lady of Guadalupe, title of the Virgin Mary, and like other small towns, has had its share of struggles. Located between protected agricultural farmlands and the famous Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes, Guadalupe, with a population of 8,200, the town embodies the best of American ideals, and is a real melting pot of citizens.
”During a pandemic, Guadalupe had to find a way to continue the harvesting and agricultural work to put food on tables across America and beyond.
Perhaps this is what came through loud and clear in one national competition to bring technology and valuable grants to small and rural towns across the US. T-Mobile sponsored a national competition for small towns with a grand prize of $3Million for a “Techover” makeover, and thousands of entries were received. In July, it was announced that Guadalupe was one of ten finalists, to the delight of the community. The population boasts an average age of 26 and is 86% Latinx, making this young, vibrant town a prime candidate for enhanced communication and a “Techover.”
The winning entry consisted of a video and essay outlining Guadalupe’s unique story ad character. This was created and submitted by BRIGET.org, an organization founded by Teresa Young, with 30 years as a self-professed business “Guidance Counselor” for entrepreneurs and small towns. “If any town deserved a big win, it is Guadalupe. This town is the quintessential small “hometown with a big heart.” See the winning entry video:
“Even before the competition gave us a win – as a finalist, we will have a $50K grant even if we don’t win the grand prize – we committed to a vast technology upgrade for our city council meetings and building. This way, our community members have access,” explains Guadalupe Mayor Ariston Julian. “Guadalupe is all in for the future.”
Young explains, “Sustaining a small town is noteworthy itself — but knowing how (and when) to scale up and invest in technology is big news. Making a choice to commit to communication technologies and finding the courage to do so successfully is what separates the unsustainable from the sustainable towns. What Guadalupe has accomplished underscores the point: Conceive, believe, achieve. We are proud to have helped this endeavor. Persistence—combined with planning and faith—is still the best formula for long-term success.”
Guadalupe is a small city located in Santa Barbara County, California, and is economically and socially tied to the city of Santa Maria, which is about ten miles to the east. It is located on Highway 1 immediately south of the Santa Maria River, and five miles east of the Pacific Ocean. Filmmakers have used this region as a setting for several films since 1923. The Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center serves as the education and research facility for the natural area. Agriculture is a dominant industry.
Founded by Teresa M. Young, BRIGET stands for Brilliant Innovations for Growing Extraordinary Towns. “We serve communities that are ready to bring their best assets into view, to build businesses, tourism and a healthy tax base for their towns. Disenfranchised or marginalized communities in particular need our attention. We are able to harness the unique characteristics of a community and combine that with the creativity and energy of its people to yield extraordinary results.”
