Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the smallest communities across the country. One thing I’ve noticed is that while every small community is different and has its own unique flavor, they all share a sense of pride and strive to keep their communities close-knit and a place where people know each other, can rely on each other and preserve the small-town charm for generations to come.
This article will highlight how the National League of Cities’ (NLC) Small Cities Council has been a valuable network to small cities and has worked to increase its impact and connection with local elected officials across the country.
What is the Small Cities Council?
The Small Cities Council (SCC) is a member council within NLC that focuses on the priorities and challenges of smaller communities. NLC recognizes small cities, towns and villages as those with populations of 50k and below. Although the range is broad, this group’s impact is represented by cities of all sizes — including those as small as 190 in population. That means no city is too small to benefit from being a member of this group.
While the council’s priorities change annually based on the most significant challenges facing small communities, council members work relentlessly throughout the year to connect critical resources to SCC members.
Driving Positive Change for Small Communities
During the 2023-24 fiscal year, the council was led by an all-female leadership team, marking a historical milestone for the group. These leaders set their eyes on no longer being considered the “little fish in a big pond” but instead focused on being recognized as a key factor of upward change for small communities. Council membership increased, consisting of 240 dedicated members who set out to find initiatives focused on leveraging innovative growth approaches and inclusive community engagement strategies.
During the first quarter, council members created a partnership with the Local Infrastructure Hub program, assisting local leaders with developing a city’s project portfolio designed to maximize community needs and the city’s grant applications with broader federal priorities.
This partnership aligned the council with NLC’s current federal action agenda item, “Make Government Work for All Communities.”
Through NLC’s advocacy efforts to improve and update the process of applying for federal grants and legislation, that would ensure fair and efficient distribution of federal grants to small communities.
The council was introduced to the Streamlining Federal Grants Act, legislation that continues to build on a 2019 law that required federal grant programs to streamline data standards for applications and reporting. As of October 2024, thirty-six (36) small cities with populations of 25k and below have been awarded federal funding through the Local Infrastructure Hub program, totaling $97,437,288.00 with an average of $2.7 million per city. That’s incredible for small communities! Council members felt heard and were ready to take action. They did just that!
During the council’s visit to Rancho Cordova, CA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) joined their hybrid summer board and leadership meeting for members to discuss recent Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) rulemakings pertaining to the drinking water regulation and the CERCLA designation. Since then, members have taken action, and the City of Grandview, TX, recently applied and was awarded funding for this bill through the Texas Water Development Board. The funding received is for a study to determine the capital costs needed to remove PFAS in the future.
Now that’s the member impact of an action taker!
Another exciting opportunity this council participated in was the Experience Puerto Rico conference in San Juan, PR. This visit provided a space for mainland and island local leaders to exchange ideas and resources. The council was able to make a site visit to Puerto Rico’s inaugurated first cable-stayed bridge. This bridge was developed to strengthen infrastructure that minimizes the environmental impact on the river, keeping it nearly natural. Built mainly by local workers from the cities of Naranjito, Barranquitas, and Bayamón, the bridge has given more than 80,000 residents of Puerto Rico ease of access to travel across the island and increased access to small communities throughout the island. Since then, the City of Naranjito, PR, has become a member of NLC and a voice for the Small Cities Council on the island — ensuring the voices of small communities do not go unheard.
Finally, as part of the yearlong celebratory events and initiatives commemorating NLC’s 100th anniversary, NLC was on the road, traveling coast-to-coast on the Centennial Roadshow: 100 Years, 100 Cities. While we’ve had the pleasure of visiting municipalities of all sizes, it was highly fitting to visit the small community of the City of South Bay, FL, in Palm Beach County, Florida, where NLC’s CEO and Executive Director, Clarence Anthony, served as the former Mayor for 24 years.
1924 – 2024:
100 Years of
Strengthening
Cities
Learn more about NLC’s
centennial celebration,
including the Roadshow.
This stop, including many other small cities such as Wetumpka, AL, Glenn Heights, TX, and Cayce, SC, just to name a few, showcased projects developed with ARPA dollars, in which NLC played a leading role in ensuring cities had direct access to funding. The roadshow solidified that NLC remains a voice for the transformative progress of small cities.
NLC values and supports everything about small cities, towns and villages, from the growing economic opportunities to the development of local leaders, which contributes to transforming America. I hope this overview provides a snapshot of some of the many benefits of serving on this council. Whether we connect with cities in person during conferences, events or virtual meetings, invaluable relationships are cultivated with small communities through every interaction.
We want to help you be a part of the growth of small municipalities in America. At the Centennial City Summit in Tampa Bay, Florida, Nov. 13-16, members of the council will explore new ideas and learn ways to help small communities thrive, no matter what the future brings. By the end of this session, attendees will have specific actions to take home and tailor to the needs of their city, town or village.
This topic shakes up old approaches, offering small cities innovative ways to adapt to the future. The idea is for council members to leave the session with new thoughts, ideas and solutions to shape a better future for their community.
Join the Small Cities Council
Applications to join NLC Member Councils are now open through Nov. 25, 2024. Log in to MyNLC to join and help shape the future of small communities.
About the Author
8 Ways City Summit 2024 Celebrated 100 Years of Strengthening Cities
- Jeremy Grossman
National League of Cities Announces New President & 2025 Leadership
National League of Cities Roadshow Visits More than 100 Cities; Heads to Tampa Bay for Centennial City Summit
Good Governance: Why it Matters to You and Your Community
- NLC Partnerships
3 Strategies for Local Leaders to Improve Democracy
Addressing Common Recycling Challenges Through the Recycle Right Campaign
- Carolyn Berndt