Voices of Communities

In this fifth and final episode of the “Voices of Searcy” season, I first walk you through how the community members of Searcy feel a sense of community. Second, I share with you how they stay involved in the community, and third, I explain how the community members see Searcy as caring. For more information, visit www.vofcommpod.com.

Up until now, most of the stories we have heard on this podcast have focused on positive aspects of the Searcy community. But storytelling is not always positive. The points of contention that are unpacked in this episode revolve first around belonging in Searcy and feeling like there’s outsiders versus insiders, second about negativity surrounding community decisions, and third about issues currently dividing the town. For more information, visit www.vofcommpod.com.

In this episode I first discuss how Searcy seems to feel like a small town to the community members. Second, I talk about the ways in which the residents stay informed with issues in Searcy. Third, I discuss how community members talk about on going issues in Searcy with other community members. For more information, visit www.vofcommpod.com.

Since I lived in Searcy and left in 2015, Searcy has experienced changes, and the community members I spoke with talked about these changes. In this episode I first discuss how an Advertising & Promotion tax has been effect in Searcy since June of last year and how this tax was brought up in various conversations I had with the residents. Second, I share with you how the community members have seen business and event growth happen in Searcy, but how they don’t want Searcy to grow too big too fast. Third, I explain how Searcy has grown in terms of spirit and unity. For more information, visit www.vofcommpod.com.

In this first episode I begin by explaining what Main Street Searcy does as a local nonprofit. Second, I unpack the generational ties Searcy has for a lot of community members and the childhood memories that are linked with those ties. Third, I talk about the community members who choose to stay in Searcy for their kids and the new memories being made in Searcy. This all encompasses why Searcy is Home. For more information, visit www.vofcommpod.com.