Civic Capacity Number 300

It's time to reflect on a milestone

On May 22nd of last year, an idea was born: to create an online space for discussions and ideas about local government. This vision went beyond just recapping council or commission meetings. It aimed to delve deeper, exploring the reasons behind decisions and their impact on our communities. That first edition reached nearly 300 readers.

Fast-forward to today, that small idea has grown significantly. Civic Capacity has become a go-to source for understanding local government in Miami County, thanks to our dedicated readers.

Today, we celebrate our 300th edition. Reaching this milestone is no small feat; few newsletters of this kind persist this long. I am deeply grateful for our 1,463 subscribers, especially the 68 individuals who have made financial contributions, turning this passion project into a meaningful endeavor.

Some interesting statistics: since our launch, this publication has been read over 243,000 times, making us the 215th most-read newsletter about news on Substack. It sounds redundant, but there are multiple topics on the platform and Civic Capacity is considered news. Considering that we cover a county of just 100,000 people, that’s quite impressive.

But our work isn’t about numbers. It’s about impact.

It's about seeing two dozen neighbors at the At-Large Council Open House discussing Troy. Likewise, it's about chronicling how a downtown street closure led to a community rallying together to save a building. Not only that, but it’s about uncovering data to tell the story of our communities.

In essence, this work is about the places we call home. Yet, it’s not without its challenges.

Writing about local stories in an engaging way can be challenging. Our readers care deeply about their hometowns. They know their local officials, attend meetings, and are civically engaged. It's tough to engage those who aren’t already involved, though many have told me Civic Capacity has helped them feel more connected to their community. But there are still many in our community that aren’t aware of this work. In a media landscape focused on national narratives, we provide a rare space for local discussions. A place we desperately need, but a place that is often overlooked.

Another challenge has been honing the skills needed for this work. I’m not a journalist by training, but I have a background in local government and public administration. This experience has been invaluable, but writing for an engaged online audience has required learning new skills and adapting my writing style to meet the needs of our readers. In many ways, I still have a long way to go, but thanks to the input of our subscribers, Civic Capacity is getting better every day.

Finally, there’s always so much to talk about in our communities. Prioritizing and scheduling stories can be difficult. Some stories need more context or the right moment to share. Patience and wisdom have taught me to hold onto these stories until they’re ready.

Through it all, I want to thank you—the readers of Civic Capacity. Whether you’re a casual reader, a free subscriber, or a paid supporter, you have made this effort possible. Thank you for allowing me to share the stories of our communities in a manner that is fair, fearless, and faithful to the spirit of the places we call home.

Thanks for reading today’s Civic Capacity Newsletter! Please feel free to share this information with your friends and neighbors.

Also, please consider subscribing to our work. If you are a free subscriber, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. For less than $1 a week, you can get timely and conversational updates about the decisions that are impacting you and your community!

Finally, our reader survey for July is looking for responses! Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas on your hometown! You can access the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PF6SPPN