May 27, 2021
Tyra Penn has taken her experiences as a performing artist and radio personality and utilized them well in advocating for the rural town of Thompson, CT.
Tyra is the Planning and Development Director for this northeastern-most municipality of Connecticut. Historically an agricultural community with several small but robust mill villages, Thompson's challenges are the same as faced by a multiplicity of communities throughout the United States.
Externally challenged by limited or misallocated, top-down resources, by geography (think being in one state but being influenced by another's urban center) and by the differences in socio-economics Thompson also faces internal challenges..... just how and who defines what the next generation will experience in our small rural towns. Who there will benefit from our 'modern' economy?
Tyra's current projects, some of which we touch upon in this episode include a small-mixed use development taking advantage of local assets such as historic property, natural environment and local interest. This project includes an AG-based incubator intentionally designed to take advantage of local human assetts and interest.
We're all working hard to make our communiteis better, more resilient, more responsive to our neighbors needs. Tyra is working on her community and we all hope this podcast episode emboldens you to take the next step for YOUR town.
Find out more about Tyra's other projects
Tyra Penn and Her Army of Snakes new album "The Last Day of August":
https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-last-day-of-august/1545052725