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Bowman Visits Carrington. June 1 st & 2 nd. LinkND Community Impressions. Prior to Arrival. We expected Carrington to be a small-town community with similar qualities to Bowman. We did some prior research of Carrington on the city website and the Chamber website.
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BowmanVisitsCarrington June 1st & 2nd LinkND Community Impressions
Prior to Arrival • We expected Carrington to be a small-town community with similar qualities to Bowman. • We did some prior research of Carrington on the city website and the Chamber website. • We called the Chamber of Commerce about a Visitor’s Packet. They were very friendly and we received the packet right away. • City had landmarks that were familiar to us • Told people we were traveling to Carrington and the response was always, “That’s a really nice community.”
City Entrances • North (Hwy 281) : Nice Signage, needs signage to Winery. (Big tourist attraction) • South (Hwy 281): Nice Signage, well lit at night, great first impression of Carrington with the beautiful park at first view! • East (Hwy 200): There was no city signage. Promote the community more! It’s a great one! • West (Hwy 200): There was no city signage, it is a beautiful drive in from that way but there was no signage to promote the community or which community we were entering.
Downtown/Main Street Business District • Beautiful buildings and architecture! It is very unique and a lot of communities do not have the advantage of historical architecture. • The businesses on Main Street are great! Could use some fill-ins and clothing stores. • The lighting on Main Street is beautiful! • The businesses downtown were cool local assets that add a lot of character to the community. • Main Street is underutilized and pushed to the side when it is a great asset to the community! More signage is necessary to bring people in! • Some of the buildings could use a facelift and some upkeep. • Great variety of stores but lacking clothing stores and/or boutiques. • Visitors need to get out and stretch their legs, they want an area to get out, walk, and shop around, Main Street would be the perfect area for that.
Retail • Good Variety: Quilt Shop is something we would love to bring to Bowman. Drug Store had great variety and great customer service. • Lacking retail due to Alco being gone.(getting Shopko)!!! • Clothing stores would be a great addition. • Some businesses within the residential areas. Signage is needed to show where they are located. • We loved your grocery store!!
Tourism Unique Features and Positives Places to grow in tourism The winery is a great asset to the community but not a lot of people know its there. Signage Tourist Hut or visitor information center. • The Winery is great! Could use some signage and more advertisement! • Great park – This is an amazing asset! • The architecture was beautiful. • Birding is very unique. Draws many people.
Housing • Very nice variety of housing. • Architecture is great • Very well upkeep on houses • Updated • Expansion and new development is great for the future of your community • Reasonably Prices
Business and Economy • Well kept and good appearance. • Good industrial parks. We saw that there were two (North and South) • Great variety of businesses • Dakota Pasta Growers and Agriculture seemed to be the major employers. • There was an abundance of professional and financial services.
Education, Health, Social, & Emergency • The schools were very nice, and well kept. • The hospital was hard to find, it could use some more signage for directions. • The grocery store was VERY NICE! Great variety, affordable, and good deli. • A good looking senior center. • The emergency shelter in the courthouse was a plus.
Government, Infrastructure, and Land Use • Government offices were convenient to find; the City Hall could use some more signage. • The map and area attractions are very helpful and available throughout town. • The winery brochure was great. • We felt safe the entire time being in Carrington. • Main street needs more attention.
Recreation, Faith, and Culture • The Putnam House was beautiful. The house itself could use some signage to it from the highway. • Great recreation in the area, a lot of things for families to do! For example, golf, parks, bowling, youth center, swimming, movie theater, biking, birding, etc.
Overall Comments • Community pride is so important. Carrington has a lot to be proud of. • Revitalizing the main street business district will bring the people in to give your local businesses more business! • The community felt very clean, safe, friendly, and progressive. • We all agreed that we would all enjoy living in Carrington! • We got a lot of ideas that we would love to take back to Bowman. This created a great group for us to work with from Carrington.