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Notes from the Nominators

What makes your town special? Tell us about the landscape, the urban design, the culture, the people, or anything else that sets your place apart.

Our town is a small community in the Ozark Mountains. The natural setting shapes who we are, with forests, hills, and nearby water offering both beauty and recreation.

We are both a resort destination and a close-knit community town. Visitors are drawn to the landscape, while residents enjoy the slower pace and strong local connections that come with small-town life.

In a Strong Town, neighbors work in collaboration with city technical staff and elected officials to address the community's needs. How are neighbors in your town getting involved and making an impact?

Our citizens engage with city leaders in a true spirit of volunteerism. That spirit is the heart and strength of our community. Many of the services and programs we rely on are powered by residents who are willing to give their time and energy.

We keep our community warm through coat drives. We help feed our neighbors through a local food pantry. We also have an organic garden club that grows and donates food to support those in need. None of this would be possible without volunteers. They are truly the heart of the Bay!

Strong Towns don't wait for the perfect time or for a cash infusion to take action. Tell us about a time when people in your town observed a struggle your community experienced, and addressed that struggle swiftly, using the tools at hand.

After a mayor was recalled, our community experienced a period of difficulty and disruption. Rather than allowing that moment to define us, residents and city leaders worked together to move forward.

Repairs to the city campgrounds and conference center were completed with the help of volunteers who stepped up with a plan and carried the work through. Because of the collaboration between city leadership and volunteers, the facilities were restored and operations improved. The result was a stronger comeback, including increased revenue compared to 2019. It was a clear example of the community choosing to rebuild and strengthen what matters most.

What about your town inspires you to keep working to make it stronger?

It is simply a beautiful and wonderful place to live. The forests, the lake activities, and the surrounding nature make it special.

Just as important are the people. The kindness and commitment of our residents make it a place worth investing in and working to strengthen for the future.