Letter: New Residents Bring Fresh Energy to Help Grand Rapids Thrive

Dear Editor,

There’s a perception floating around that newer residents of Grand Rapids are less invested in the well-being of this village than those who have been here longer. That belief could not be further from the truth — and it risks alienating people who care deeply about this community, invest thousands of dollars, hundreds of volunteer hours, and the only payoff they want is to see our Village thrive.

Many of us who have chosen to make Grand Rapids our home did so intentionally. We saw something special here — the walkable streets, the charm of local shops, the sense of connection — and wanted to be a part of it. But we also bring something equally valuable: fresh experience, professional skill, and perspectives shaped by other communities that have faced similar challenges and found creative ways forward.

New residents often notice opportunities long-time locals may overlook, or they ask questions that spark needed conversations. Some bring backgrounds in business development, tourism, urban planning, or marketing — skills that can directly benefit the Village if given space for open dialogue and partnership. That’s not a threat to our identity; it’s a resource. Communities thrive when they combine the wisdom of long-time residents with the innovation and energy of newer ones.

And truthfully, this isn’t new for Grand Rapids. Many of the people most responsible for shaping what this Village is today weren’t born and raised here — they chose to make this their home. Dominick Labino, Dave Laroe, Thomas Howard, Benjamin Kerr, Peter Manor, Isaac Ludwig, Don, Don and Audrey Entenman, Azor Thurston and Dr. Shelley all came from elsewhere and poured their time, ideas, and passion into this community. Their names are honored in our history and landmarks because they proved that love for a place isn’t measured by how long you’ve lived there, but by how much you give to it.

This pattern holds true far beyond our borders. Studies consistently show that welcoming new residents strengthens small-town economies and civic life. A report from the Institute for Decision Making at the University of Northern Iowa found that new residents contribute significantly to local spending, volunteerism, and institutional support. Research published in the National Bureau of Economic Research also shows that communities with steady in-migration experience stronger local GDP growth, more small business creation, and higher rates of civic engagement.

Sociological research adds to the picture. A study in the Open Journal of Social Sciences (2023) concluded that newcomers often serve as “community catalysts,” helping towns adapt to change by bringing in outside networks, professional expertise, and different problem-solving approaches. This kind of diversity in experience leads to more resilient and adaptable communities — ones better able to handle economic shifts, demographic changes, and new opportunities.

What we see in those findings mirrors what’s true here at home. When new people move into a small community, they don’t just bring new faces — they bring new energy. They attend local events, start small businesses, volunteer, restore homes, and invest in the life of the town. Over time, that infusion of effort strengthens the local economy, broadens civic participation, and ensures the town doesn’t stagnate or lose relevance in a changing world.

Unfortunately, when new residents feel unheard or dismissed, that energy can fade. When ideas are met with polite nods but never discussed, when questions are asked of everyone except the person who proposed the idea, or the discussions of the ideas happens around them and not with them it creates a sense of exclusion. And when people feel their voices don’t matter, they begin to disengage — not out of apathy, but out of discouragement. That’s something we can and should fix.

Grand Rapids has always been at its best when collaboration happens — when long-time residents and new ones come together to share ideas, challenge each other, and work toward a shared vision of what this Village can be. Committees, open forums, and consistent dialogue are crucial to building that trust again. They give people space to refine ideas together and build real understanding.

I’ve seen the growing frustration in town — it’s hard to miss. The energy and attention surrounding this election show that people are paying attention, that they care, and that they want their voices heard. That’s not a bad thing. It’s a sign of a community that’s still alive and engaged.

My hope is that our community servants, both current and future, will recognize that passion for what it is — a desire to be part of the community and to help Grand Rapids thrive. Let’s adopt a mindset of listen first and discuss openly. If we can do that, we’ll find that Grand Rapids’ greatest strength isn’t found in how long someone’s lived here, but in how much they’re willing to give of themselves to help it thrive.

Respectfully,
David Fowler
Grand Rapids, Ohio

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