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One of my favorite childhood stories was The Little Engine That Could. It instilled the values of optimism and hard work through the journey of a train engine struggling to climb a hill, only to succeed with sheer determination. Another favorite was Stone Soup, a tale about travelers who, faced with a village unwilling to share food, cleverly inspired the townspeople to contribute ingredients to a soup. Together, they created something wonderful. Both stories carry lessons that parallel the transformation of Newport, NH, over the past several years.
Like many small towns across America, Newport faced challenges—a declining downtown, closed storefronts, lost jobs, and deteriorating infrastructure. The town experienced moments of hope with potential investors and grants, but setbacks often stalled progress. For years, the mantra seemed to be, "Well, it’s just not meant to be." Newport was like The Little Engine That Could, stuck in a cycle of “I think I can” without reaching “I thought I could.”
Then, the Sunshine Initiative was born, led by Jay and Karen Lucas, a Newport native who had moved away. The initiative aimed to reimagine Newport’s potential. Like Stone Soup, the effort inspired community members to step up and contribute. What started as a small spark grew into a movement of revitalization. The results have been remarkable, with projects such as a new dog park, community center, revitalized golf course, and modernized opera house serving as shining examples of collective success.
A Dog Park Built on Community Spirit
A local couple dreamed of building a dog park and identified a location. Fundraising was a challenge until they discovered a national contest sponsored by PetSafe, offering $25,000 to towns with the most votes. The couple rallied the community, and their efforts paid off—they won, bringing the dream of a dog park to life.
A Community Center Without Raising Taxes
As described above, the community center project united town officials and the Sunshine Initiative to secure grants and resources. Remarkably, they accomplished this without increasing local property taxes, demonstrating the power of collaboration and creative funding.
Rescuing the Golf Course
The local golf course was in receivership and faced potential downsizing to nine holes, with plans to develop the remaining land into condos. A group of 13 area residents pooled their resources to purchase and improve the course, preserving its 18-hole layout and maintaining it as a community asset.
A Modern Opera House: I Thought I Could
The Newport Opera House already had funding to repair its historic building, but upgrading its lights, sound system, and projector required $200,000. The opera house association applied for a grant funded by businesses diverting a portion of their business profits tax. As the deadline approached, they were $9,000 short. Without the full amount, the grant would be lost.
Enter the Sunshine Initiative. While working in town, one of its members visited the opera house and learned of the shortfall. After a few phone calls, the remaining funds were secured just days before the deadline. The project crossed the finish line, proving the importance of persistence and timely intervention.
Lessons in Revitalization
The story of Newport teaches valuable lessons about uplifting small towns. Knowing where to focus efforts is critical but so is recognizing when a project is on the brink of success. This echoes another story, ‘Three Feet from Gold,’ which illustrates how persistence and a fresh perspective can lead to breakthroughs.
"The Little Engine That Could," Stone Soup, and Three Feet from Gold—I highly recommend these books to anyone involved in uplifting a small town. Read them, share them, and embrace their simple wisdom and time-tested truths. Belief, engagement, and perseverance—if there’s a secret to community revitalization, it lies in these three words.
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