Web site calls to the young
By Erik Hidle, Peninsula Daily News
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RhodyRevolution.com is a social networking site recently released by a team of young-adults working for the Washington State University Extension Center in Port Hadlock.
Their goal is to bring members of the younger generation in Jefferson County into contact with one another, and to disprove the myth that this is only a retirement community.
"We always hear about people our age who want to live here, but seem to think it's impossible," said Shelby Smith, one of those working on Rhody Revolution.
"At the same time, we hear businesses saying they need jobs and young workers.
"Where is the disconnect there?"
Employees at the Extension center and Team Jefferson, an economic development council for Jefferson County, are hoping this Web site — which is funded primarily by the Extension center — can help answer that question.
Smith said the site will offer the opportunity for comment on what needs to be done to attract a younger population to Jefferson County and to keep young adults between 18 and 40 in the area.
"We want you to become a member, and ask what you want from the area," Smith said.
Kai Wallin, who is also working on the site, said she believes it's time for a shift in the way communities view economic growth and development.
"We want to use the site to discuss challenges and obstacles people have with moving to the area," Wallin said.
The data will be presented to Team Jefferson, which can then present the problems to the City Council, county commissioners and chambers of commerce.
"It gives the young adults in the community a chance to share the problems they see with moving to and living in the region," Wallin said.
The group believes that, by collecting this data, government groups and private agencies in Jefferson County can begin to focus on what is needed to attract and retain a more youthful demographic.
"We just don't know what [the problems] really are yet," Wallin said.
"Is it affordable housing, jobs, transportation?
"The site will tell us that.
"The people who join will tell us that."
A place to meet
Smith said the site can facilitate discussion about more than just economic development and growth.
"It will allow people to meet, network and share ideas," Smith said.
"You can set up a hiking trip, ask for job tips and provide information on living in the area."
Smith said that it also will help bring generations together by posting and circulating information on upcoming public meetings, town hall gatherings and other cultural events.
"Its focus is to connect people in ways which will enrich their lives," Smith said.
The group also hopes it will encourage a dialog among younger county residents and perhaps increase the presence of the area's younger population.
"It's a grassroots effort to create a movement in the area," Wallin said.
"We want to re-energize the youth in this community by connecting people from ages 18 to 40.
The Web site acts as a portal to several different social networking sites, including Facebook, MySpace, Ning and Tribe, among others.
The site also works with other media sites, such as the photo-sharing site Flickr and a site called Twitter, which can send text messages to members at any time, so they can receive information about meetings.
The Rhody Revolution site was launched to coincide with the 2008 Rhododendron Festival, which continues in Port Townsend through Sunday.
"It's a time when a lot of people come back to the area who have moved away," Smith said.
"Many of them are trying to figure out if they can make it work here."
Members of the Rhody Revolution group plan to circulate at the festival's Grand Parade and Port Townsend bars and coffee shops on Saturday to hand out buttons, stickers and other information to let people know about the new site.
"We are going to be asking people survey questions as well," Wallin said.
"We want to know what the issues are, and we want to start conversations, as well as tell them about the site.
"We are really looking to pique people's interest during the festival week and weekend."
For more information on the Rhody Revolution, visit www.rhodyrevolution.com.
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
Last modified: May 14. 2008 9:00PM