017 - Building Belonging: How Alison Scovie and Jason Evers Helmlich Are Helping Communities Thrive Through Connection

What does it take to help someone feel at home in a new community? In this episode of Be Locally Loved, Laura Capes Terry sits down with Alison Scoby and Jason Evers Helmlich, publishers of Be Local Elk Grove and Be Local Sacramento, to explore how intentional connection can transform both communities and local businesses.

Drawing inspiration from years of travel and a love for discovering hidden gems, Alison and Jason share how they built their Be Local publications into trusted community resources that help new residents discover the people, places, and experiences that make a city feel like home. What began as a guide for newcomers quickly became a platform for strengthening relationships between residents, local businesses, civic leaders, and community organizations.

The conversation explores the power of trust, storytelling, and authentic local engagement. Alison and Jason discuss how they curate meaningful content, spotlight community leaders, and create opportunities for local businesses to build lasting relationships rather than simply advertise. Along the way, they share inspiring stories of residents who used their publications as “bucket list books” to explore their new hometowns and business owners who embraced the mission of helping newcomers belong.

At its core, this episode is a reminder that thriving communities don’t happen by accident. They are built intentionally by people who care enough to connect others, celebrate local stories, and create pathways for belonging. Through their work with Be Local, Alison and Jason are helping ensure that as their cities grow, connection grows alongside them.

💡 What You’ll Learn
• How travel inspired Alison and Jason’s vision for creating a local guide built around authentic experiences.
• Why helping new residents feel connected benefits entire communities—not just newcomers.
• How curated local content can uncover hidden gems that people won’t find through a simple online search.
• Why trust and authenticity are essential when building partnerships with local businesses.
• How local businesses can position themselves as community leaders rather than just service providers.
• The role social media plays in extending community connection far beyond the pages of a publication.
• How partnerships with cities, chambers, tourism organizations, and community groups amplify local impact.
• Why creating belonging can be both the right thing to do and a powerful competitive advantage.
• The importance of telling the stories behind local businesses instead of focusing solely on products and services.
• How community-focused businesses create long-term loyalty by leading with service and value.

🤝 Why This Conversation Matters

Communities across the country are growing and changing rapidly. As new residents arrive and technology reshapes how people connect, creating genuine belonging has become more important than ever. This conversation highlights practical ways communities can strengthen trust, celebrate local culture, and help residents feel connected to the places they call home.

Whether you're a business owner, city leader, community advocate, realtor, chamber member, or resident who cares about your town, this episode offers valuable insights into how relationships, storytelling, and intentional community-building create stronger, more resilient places to live, work, and thrive.

🎧 Listen & Share

If you care about helping people feel connected to the communities they call home, this is an episode worth sharing.

🎧 Listen or watch the full conversation.
🤝 Share it with a business owner, community leader, or neighbor who loves their town.
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