Jeff Siegler, owner of Revitalize, Or Die, a consulting business that helps towns refocus their efforts, recently spoke to Marysville citizens about revitalizing small towns, emphasizing that many communities receive ineffective advice on sustainable development. He argued that rural America has been following the wrong strategies for decades.

He highlighted the importance of code enforcement and community pride in improving local conditions. Marysville currently doesn’t have a code enforcement officer and struggles with these issues. Siegler stressed that external support alone won’t help; communities must improve from within through small, consistent efforts.

Civic pride is essential, he said, urging towns to celebrate their unique qualities and host social events that bring people together. He emphasized simple initiatives like cleanup events and neighborhood gatherings. True revitalization, Siegler concluded, requires hard work, high standards, and persistent effort to maintain and beautify local environments.