The North Star
One of the most livable, resilient, and connected small mountain towns in America
That's what Sisters can be by 2040. Known for great schools, healthy forests, wildfire-ready neighborhoods, good public spaces, thriving local business, strong arts and culture, connected trails, thoughtful growth, and civic leadership people can trust.
Core belief
We are not planning for a larger Sisters. We are designing a better Sisters.
Growth is not the goal. Livability is. Some years that means building. Some years it means protecting. Most years it means taking better care of what we already have.
The mountain town test
Will this make Sisters a better place to live twenty-five years from now?
Every major civic decision should be able to answer this question out loud. And the answer should be measurable, not rhetorical.
What we steward
Five community capitals
A town's wealth is more than its budget. The vision tracks five kinds of shared capital, because trading one away without noticing is how towns lose themselves.
Natural capital
Forests, water, dark skies, wildlife, open space, trails, and healthy ecosystems.
Human capital
Education, health, skills, leadership, creativity, and opportunity.
Social capital
Trust, community gathering, volunteerism, arts, music, and relationships.
Economic capital
Local business, tourism, remote work, entrepreneurship, and resilience.
Civic capital
Transparent institutions, participation, accountability, and public trust.
Seven outcomes
What 2040 should look like
Each outcome is a focus area with its own evidence, projects, and open questions. Have a look at any of them.
“The community should be known for exceptional public education, healthy forests, wildfire-ready neighborhoods, beautiful public spaces, thriving local businesses, strong arts and culture, connected trails, thoughtful growth, and transparent civic leadership.”