Strongtowns Academy Collab with NEVO: Let’s crank that flywheel!
We did it!
We have big big news! It is official - we are collaborating with Strong Towns to bring you the 12 Steps to Town Making - a guide to becoming a small scale developer! This has 12 videos on each step and the 12 Steps to Town Making digital download - so you can print it out on your own.
This workbook is something we wish we had before we started. It covers what to ask of a bank, leasing questions, running your numbers, a personal financial statement, who needs to be on your team before you buy your first property… and so much more.
We have taught these steps to many communities, too and have seen the results from our efforts.
Here it is! You can access the 12 Videos and a digital download of the 12 Steps to Town Making WORKBOOK here:
https://academy.strongtowns.org/p/neighborhood-evolution
P.S. if you watch this and you need assistance -we are here for you on an hourly or project basis. If you want to have us teach your community or group the 12 Steps, we can do that, too! We are open and available to assist.
Course Information
The vacant storefront on Main Street… The abandoned house a few blocks over…The aging shopping center you pass on your way to work…
Where others see decline and neglect, you see possibility. You’re not crazy; you’re a town maker.
Purchase here: https://academy.strongtowns.org/p/neighborhood-evolution
Build your capacity, your systems,... your legacy!
Let’s look at the wins.
South Bend has over 20 million dollars in the pipe line of small scale development process. This effort the build the small scale development ecosystem is 6 years in the making - with zoning overhaul, pre approved plans, loan programs, a monthly 12 Steps to Town Making meeting, several workshops throughout the year and coaching assistance by our team to the City of South Bend. This effort is funded by South Bend, which is incredible!
Here are a few examples of the work in South Bend. This momentum does not happen without continually cranking on the flywheel by having workshops on important topics combined with the monthly 12 Steps to Town Making events.
“Neighborhood Evolution is a very timely and much needed resource for individuals wanting to make a difference in their community for small business and housing redevelopment. The training program is created by leaders who have had their boots on the ground and by creative trial and error have produced an essential guidebook for community leaders and incremental developers to charge forward with neighborhood revitalization and business growth.”
Gary Benedix
President, Fusion Alternative Funding LLC | South Bend, IN
Tom, a resident of South Bend, stands in front of his new house that he built - using the Pre Approved Plan Catalogue & NEVO coaching assistance provided by the City of South Bend.
Photo Taken: 2024
Monthly meet ups and happy hours are a must to cranking the flywheel needed to have a successful small scale development community. The power of small scale development in South Bend continues - with a packed happy hour of small developers, bankers, politicians, small business owners, contractors and more - all in the room helping to Build South Bend!
Photo Taken: Spring 2024
“NEVO consultants are skilled practitioners with a wealth of real-world experience and are able to breakdown complex or seemingly overwhelming processes into small steps, using straight forward language, that anyone can follow. I cannot recommend them highly enough, South Bend’s aspirations as a “comeback” city are being realized thanks in large part to Neighborhood Evolution.”
Willow Wetherall
Executive Director, Downtown South Bend, Inc. | South Bend, IN
Charity, a partner in Herstoric Development, shows Jim & the NEVO Crew her work in restoring the historic Monarch Building in Downtown South Bend. The floor has since been closed up!
