The document summarizes interviews conducted with 115 residents of Todd, North Carolina as part of the Todd Listening Project. Key findings include: - When asked what they like best about Todd, most residents said "the peace and quiet" or something similar, while "the people" and "friendly neighbors" were also commonly cited. - Many residents felt Todd was perfect as is, while some felt it had already changed for the worse. Suggested changes included improvements to infrastructure and amenities like trails, stores, and public transportation. - Over 60% of residents expressed a desire for an additional community venue providing food and fellowship like the former General Store. - Residents listed a variety of skills they could teach like

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115residents
interviewed
How did you come to live in Todd?
31%were born and raised
in Todd
50%relocated here because
of family roots, good
property, seasonality
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When we asked you:
“What do you like best about Todd?”
most residents said:
“the peace
& quiet”
or something very similar...but
“the people”and “friendly neighbors”
were the next best thing.
Here’s what EVERYONE said:
What two things would you change about Todd?
Many residents said,
“Todd is perfect the way it is.”
But some felt that Todd had already
changed for the worst.
Most residents named specific things they’d change,
like the Boone Water Intake or tourist traffic, or
things they would create, like public walking trails
and a grocery store. Of course, some desires conflict:
a RR Grade bike lane and fewer bikes on the road.
34
37
people said they’d change
the “General Store”
people named a desire for a restaurant,
grocery/convenience store, and/or an
additional community hub/a “place for
cohesion” for all residents and visitors.
Hi there!
Were you interviewed this year by the Todd Listening Project (TLP)?
You would have been asked several questions about living here and
your involvement in the community, as well as your personal skills and
interests. If you recall an interview, thank you so much for your time,
input, and vivid stories! If you haven’t been interviewed, be on the
look out for volunteers coming into your neck of the woods. Either
way, perhaps you are curious what interviewees have said so far.
Below is a summary of the 115 interviews we’ve conducted since
November 2015. Think you have a “pulse” on Todd? Find out!
We don’t have all the answers, but we are excited to share this
information with you here. And a big “thanks” goes out to all of our
community partners and the 55 “listening” volunteers--we couldn’t
have done this without your desire to listen and dedication to Todd.
The TLP’s goal is to bring people together and foster collaboration
in order to address dreams and needs identified by local residents.
of interviewed residents
want to see an additional
Todd venue providing food and fellowship
comparable to that of the old General Store
62%=
328 hours of
interviews

2. “It’s hard to know what’s going on unless somebody tells you.”
-Todd Resident, Jan. 2016 TLP interview
Community Announcements:
Meat Camp VFD: There will be a free CPR class Jan. 18, 9-1pm. To register, call 964-3335.
Mercantile: Known for its bakery goods, artisan crafts, and good company, The Mercantile will be
closed during January and February, but will open again in March. In the spring, you can look for-
ward to plant identification seminars, essential oil classes, and we can’t forget about the live bands
and dances that will take place on the “-teenth” Friday of every month!
Blackburn House: Drop by for a New Years Party Dec. 31 9-12pm. Drinks and snacks provided,
but you’re welcome to bring more. Expect games, movies, and fellowship. Call 877-3317 for info
River Girl: The shop will be closed until April 1st 2017, except by appt. Call to reserve a spot!
In June the TLP organized the “Todd Community
Round-Up” to present the early data and brainstorm
with those present on ways to collaborate.
79%of interviewed
residents
said “yes”
Finally, we asked if you would be
interested in meeting others who
named similar interests and concerns
as you, and if you would consider
collaborating to address them.
What are a few things you do well enough that you could teach another person how to do them?
AND
Is there something that someone else does that you’d like to learn?
# of residents skilled in:
7woodworking
3 fly-
fishing
4 foraging
7
book
clubs,
poetry,
writing
13
leadership
development
23
farm &
garden
2 bees
6 tree-
felling/
firewood
3 woodworking
3 fly-
fishing
4 foraging
7
farm &
garden 5bees
2tree-
felling/
firewood
2
book
clubs,
poetry,
writing
# of residents interested to learn:
4 playing an
instrument
7blacksmithing & welding
7 arts &
crafts
230
The # of different, teachable skills of all residents interviewed. That’s a lot of talent
in a small place. There’s equally a strong desire to learn new skills.
See the example of how you skills and/or interests could be matched up below:
Considering the trends we started seeing in the interview data by June,
we had to start asking ourselves, and residents,
“What next?”
1. The New River
AND
2. The General Store
32 residents attended.
22 concerns were slated for discussion
175 assets were celebrated
Seeing the data, residents at the Round Up
identified the top community concerns at the time:
Addressing community
concern for the New River,
the TLP helped the Todd
Ruritan Club organize the
23rd Annual Todd New
River Fesitval and hosted
river-themed games and
crafts to raise awareness
for the river.
Trying to generate more dis-
cussion about a grocery store
and community cohesion, the
TLP hosted the Todd Showcase
tent at the festival. It was a
space to show off Todd talent
and we provided festival goers
free hot cider and coffee, build-
ing on Joe Morgan’s tradition
of free morning coffee .
Throughout fall 2016, ASU student volunteers helped the TLP ask residents who were especially concerned with the
loss of the General Store what they could do to get their beloved store back, or to consider a new venture that would
serve community needs while supporting and collaborating with the beloved existing Todd businesses. Because 62%
of residents identified a need for increased access to grocery items, convenience goods, and a good sandwich, the
TLP will be working with Todd partners to start planning a venture to address these needs. In 2017, we will be
brainstorming other ways to collaborate based on TLP data, including providing micro-grants to entrepreneurial and
collaborative efforts that positively impact Todd. We’ll also start a regularly mailed, free newsletter to keep us all
connected, for afterall,
Contact the TLP anytime:
Jaimie McGirt
Coordinator
336-877-1706
3986 Todd Railroad Grade Rd
BlackburnCommunityOutreach@gmail.com
www.theblackburnhouse.com