The topic of Alpena’s future has been a common theme in my world over the last few weeks.

Last Friday, my board (the Alpena Downtown Development Authority) held a strategic planning session to set future goals and priorities.

That was the first formal session we have had since 2017.

Discussions among my board — a combination of business owners, property developers, downtown employees, and Alpena residents — covered a variety of topics related to downtown Alpena: What are downtown’s strengths? What are our weaknesses? What threats and opportunities do we face? How do we envision the district in five years? In 10 years? How can the DDA lead the way to get us there?

The majority of my board members are either transplants to the area or grew up here and then returned after spending time away. Those who didn’t grow up here had a similar story: A job opportunity came up for them or their partner. Most had never even heard of Alpena or could point to it on a map. They decided to take the opportunity for a change of pace or a change of lifestyle. And they haven’t left.

Involved with the DDA, they understand the immense opportunity that Alpena possesses. A small city with big city amenities surrounded by an abundance of natural resources. More forward-thinking individuals, businesses, and families relocating to the area and getting involved.

And yet we have retained our down-to-earth personality and sense of community — and have not yet been completely consumed by tourism.

Those themes were echoed in another meeting I recently attended, hosted by Tim Kuehnlein’s Local and State Government class at Alpena Community College and by the Sunset Project, a nonprofit focused on advancing creative opportunities and mental health awareness in Northeast Michigan.

At the meeting, they shared the results of a public survey centered on the quality of life and the future of our region.

More than 300 results echoed a common theme from the discussions my board had a week earlier: How do we improve the quality of life for residents in the region. And, equally importantly, how do we protect it?

“We don’t want to be like Traverse City” is a comment that quickly and commonly follows discussions about our future.

As a literature major and linguist, I am intrigued by the specificity — or lack thereof — in the words we use. What do we really mean when we say we don’t want to be like TC?

Ironically, a majority of survey respondents indicated Traverse City is where they go when they travel out of the area for food, shopping, and cultural activities. If we don’t want to be TC, then what do we want to be?

A few recurring responses came out of what we want more of here in our region: more community festivals and opportunities to come together. More live music. More preservation and appreciation of our natural resources. More outdoor activities. More locally owned, small, unique businesses.

Yet, to grow, we will need to experience an increase in population or an increase in tourism.

How can we nurture those things we want yet grow in a sustainable way?

In the months to come, I will be focusing on those recurring themes and questions that have surfaced in the various conversations I have experienced surrounding Alpena’s future.

Each topic — from community festivals to suburban sprawl to the role of volunteers — warrants more attention than can be wrapped up in just one article.

As you read along, I hope you reflect on where it is we really want to be going — and what it will take for us to get there.