HUMBOLDT — Lisse Regehr, Thrive Allen County’s CEO, calls Humboldt a “yes” city.
Its residents are committed to getting things done. Have an idea? The answer is yes. When Humboldt’s residents see a problem, they solve it, Regehr and residents noted.
Take the issue of child care. At a previous Community Conversation, residents identified affordable child care as a top issue. Now, thanks to grants and a dedicated focus by businesses such as The Growing Place and the school district, dozens of new child care openings are in the works.
Last year, they wanted to address mental health and youth engagement. Ashley Clinic is working with the school district to build a new community care center, thanks to a grant. Thrive interns recently met with high school students to talk about their concerns and improvements they want to see.
Two years ago, residents said they wanted a health fair. One is scheduled for April 24.
There’s plenty to be proud of, Regehr noted while leading an annual Community Conversation at Humboldt High School last week. But there are also still plenty of opportunities to do better.
Regehr and staff spoke to more than a dozen residents about their priorities.
First, they started with the positives. That took the majority of the event, as residents talked about Humboldt’s parks, school system, new music festivals that draw tourists from around the region and the influx of new businesses, including restaurants.
“It’s a caring community,” resident Amanda Ames said.
City Administrator Cole Herder said he frequently talks with people from across the country who are intrigued by Humboldt’s story. The community has been featured in major national newspapers and magazines for its revitalization efforts, particularly those led by the Works family and A Bolder Humboldt.
“I hear things that most people who live here do not,” Herder said. “State officials call me. I get asked to speak to groups who want to take what we’ve learned and bring it back to their communities. Someone is writing their dissertation on our community.”
That’s not to say there aren’t hiccups.
When Thrive’s interns met with local youth, one of their top complaints was “weird hours” for restaurants and businesses. Sunny Shreeve, a city council member, agreed that frustrates her as someone who works out of town. When she is in Humboldt outside of the typical business hours, it’s difficult to find an open restaurant.
“How am I supposed to support a business that’s only open until 2 p.m.?” Shreeve asked.
Mayor Nobby Davis, who previously ran a restaurant in Humboldt, asked for understanding. It’s not easy to run a restaurant anywhere, but it’s especially difficult in a community of about 1,850 residents. Most local restaurants are run by a family or a small staff.
