The Far West Texas Community-Building Summit drew over 200 participants last weekend, uniting friends and neighbors across the region to collaborate on a shared vision for their communities. Organized by the Alpine Community Projects Board and Summit Steering Committee, the event is being hailed as the start of a larger effort to foster unity and innovation.
Organizers emphasized the collaborative spirit and local support that brought the summit to life in a letter to local media. “This summit was a collective effort made possible by the generosity and dedication of so many,” wrote Kendra Jones on behalf of the Summit Steering Committee.
The letter expressed gratitude for the major donors, including the Permian Basin Area Foundation, Still Water Foundation, and anonymous contributors, whose support made the summit possible. “You were our first big donors, and that support made it feel possible that this event could really happen,” the letter read.
Local businesses and organizations also played a critical role. Benjamin Garcia of The Granada Theatre provided the venue, while local media outlets such as The Alpine Avalanche, The Big Bend Sentinel, and Big Bend Times helped promote the event. Additionally, Bread Garden Bakery and The French Co. Grocer contributed food for attendees, while Sky Island Culinary catered Saturday’s lunch.
“We’re sending many thanks to all our friends and neighbors across the region who attended the summit,” the letter continued. “Over 200 of you came to visit about new ways to come together to create what we want for our communities and our whole region. As we all said at the summit, this is the beginning of our work together.”
The summit featured a keynote presentation by Doug Griffiths, author of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community. His talk emphasized practical steps for strengthening local communities and will be screened at future events for those unable to attend.
Organizers are optimistic about building on the momentum of the summit to advance initiatives that strengthen connections and improve life in Far West Texas. For updates on future events, follow Alpine Community Projects on social media.
