Choosing Councilors for the Networked Age

The April 8th election in Brookings has a slate of intelligent candidates. Hansen and Bacon share the vision that takes Brookings into the Networked Age.

We have moved from the Industrialized Age to the Networked Age where innovation, creativity and the ability to connect are key skills for businesses and community leaders.

Anyone can quickly make something happen. Embracing this new era means creating a community that will attract, retain and create makers who will build the next generation of businesses, organizations and events.

On April 8th there is an election in the city of Brookings and two of the five city council candidates have a vision prepared for the Networked Age: Dan Hansen and Patty Bacon.

These two stand out among a talented slate of candidates because they are focused on building a diverse community that attracts and creates talent.

Innovation

Every candidate wants to attract jobs. What stands out about Hansen and Bacon is their emphasis on not only attracting but creating. Investing resources in new companies and keeping the innovative students in the community are essential to their campaigns and essential for Brookings’ future success.

Sustainability

Hansen and Bacon both recognize that a city must satisfy both professional and personal interests. Hansen is focused on creating entertainment opportunities while Bacon notes the importance of environmental sustainability. These aims enrich the community and protect the environment as well as attracting residents who value the arts, environment and community. Bike lanes, public transportation, art venues and chickens seem like small potatoes, but as entrepreneurial hubs like Boulder, Austin and New Orleans have found, they are essential to attract and keep talent in the Networked Age.

Diversity

A networked community thrives with a diversity of ideas, languages, ethnicities and backgrounds. Brookings already punches above its weight when it comes to diversity for a rural, Midwest town, but Hansen and Bacon would help improve diversity in Brookings.

They both mention providing for all residents of Brookings as a priority. This includes: low-income housing, mixed use space, supporting the Research Park as it attracts talent and keeps university researches and reinvesting in the hospital and parks to provide a quality living standard for all residents regardless of class or ethnicity. Living in an echo chamber does little to ignite innovation; a diverse vibrant community is the catalyst the Networked Age demands.

To date, Brookings has been an example for small towns. A growing population, active business community and high quality of life has helped it buck the trend of shrinking rural communities. Now it is important to look ahead.

Brookings can be more than a successful small town; Brookings can embrace the Networked Age and grow into a hub on par with other innovative, sustainable and diverse communities.

Brookings is only limited by its imagination. Hansen and Bacon provide the long-term vision needed to full our potential.