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We all change. So, too, do our towns.

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They follow us through successes and failures, through fat times and lean times.

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But no matter how vibrant they may be or have been, at some point our

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storefronts downtown and the houses around them seem emptier.

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Governments bring in less revenue. Visitors come less often.

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Stores leave; new ones don't come.

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There's little to keep kids safely occupied.

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We do the best we can. But we're stronger together.

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That's why West Virginia University formed the Community Design Team, which

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traveled from Morgantown to Lost Creek, W.Va. in 1997 and to more than 40 towns

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and counties since then.

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The faculty and students on the team walk with these towns to plan ways they can

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thrive, show off their riches and attract visitors.

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The Davis College of Agriculture and WVU Extension form the team's critical

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mass, which attracts a fluid gathering of landscape architects, rural health

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practitioners, economists, engineers, parks and recreation experts, and public

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policy analysts.

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When visiting a community, team members tour the area, take photos, sketch,

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read, analyze and, most of all, listen.

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They listen to how people want to bring positive change, and then they sit down

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to transform these dreams -- weaving in structure and sage advice -- into a

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plan.

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Since the CDT began, it has created feasible options for community facelifts,

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gathering spaces and economic enhancements, and has returned as often as needed.

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Some towns have unfolded the ideas and blossomed. Others achieve each of their

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goals as they are able.

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WVU traces possible futures for these communities. But it's up to the towns and

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their people to paint them into life.