At Bollig Engineering, we believe in the future of rural communities. While large cities often receive the most attention—more media coverage, more funding, more visibility—it’s the smaller, often-overlooked communities that quietly power our region’s economy, culture, and way of life.
The Real Spirit of the Region
The heart of our region isn’t found in metro skylines. It’s in grain elevators and high school gyms, in VFW pancake breakfasts and small-town cafés. It’s in communities where people still wave from the sidewalk, volunteer to help at their city celebration, and take time to help their neighbors. That’s not just a way of life—it’s a strength worth building on.
The big city offers entertainment and opportunity, sure. However, small towns offer something even more valuable: trust, a sense of belonging, and shared responsibility. These values form the foundation of vibrant, resilient communities.
Why Small Towns Matter More Than Ever
Small towns offer a level of trust, service, and affordability that is difficult to replicate elsewhere. They are central to regional identity, economic health, and long-term community resilience.
True Community
In small towns, community happens face-to-face. Whether it’s gathering at church, volunteering at the fire department, or bumping into friends on Main Street, connection is real and lasting. These relationships form a social safety net—something that leads to stronger health, happiness, and civic engagement.
Lower Cost of Living, Higher Quality of Life
With housing prices significantly below metro averages, small towns offer a more affordable option. Families can invest in their futures, entrepreneurs can take risks, and professionals can work remotely from places where life moves at a more human pace. And when dollars stay local, they fuel the small businesses and institutions that keep communities thriving. Many small Minnesota cities function as bedroom communities, where residents commute to nearby metros for work but rely on their hometown for quality of life. These cities face unique challenges balancing infrastructure, growth, and identity — areas where we help provide solutions.
Service, Ownership, and Leadership
In small towns, leadership is personal. Anyone can serve—whether on the city council, school board, or community task force. That spirit of service is something we see every day in the communities we work with. It’s also at the core of our purpose at Bollig Engineering:
We are neighbors serving neighbors, working to strengthen, preserve, and transform the future and quality of life of communities.
A Legacy of Stewardship
Small towns were born from agriculture and built on the values of planning ahead, taking care of what you have, and leaving things better than you found them. That mindset continues to drive how local leaders approach infrastructure, budgets, and community development. It’s why we partner with cities to take a long-term view—helping assess needs holistically and find the funding to make generational investments.
Key Takeaway: Small towns are vital to regional resilience. They offer affordability, strong community ties, and local leadership—and with the right investment, they can thrive for generations.
Designed for Small Cities.
We don’t just say we serve small cities—we’ve structured our entire firm around it. Bollig Engineering is one of the few civil engineering firms purpose-built for rural communities. Our expertise in infrastructure and funding helps small cities make the most of every dollar. Our team is built to meet the unique needs of rural communities, where resources are tight, leadership is volunteer-driven, and every dollar counts. Whether it’s water, wastewater, streets, stormwater, or airport planning, we bring a full-system approach backed by deep experience in funding strategy and community storytelling.
Our mission is more than engineering—it’s about helping small towns thrive. When we live out our purpose and values—Neighbors Serving Neighbors, Teamwork, Trusted Relationships, and Continuous Improvement—we create long-term value that shapes communities for generations to come.
At Bollig, we believe strong communities are built on service, smart planning, and lasting partnerships.
Let’s work together to build a stronger future for your small town.
Call 320-235-2555 or contact us here.
English 
Spanish