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My Town – Season 1 – Brookshire
My town is brought to you by The Brookshire Company to help rural communities and businesses tell their story. Lifelong rural advocate and Emmy award-winning producer Cory Hepola has teamed up with Gerry Norton, who has a long-standing passion and understanding of small-town real estate, to create this unique platform to advocate for rural communities and spotlight their value in the nation.
CORY HEPOLA – 3x Emmy-Winning documentarian & TV Anchor
Growing up in small town Perham, Minnesota, Cory is the Director, Writer, and Host of the popular documentary series, “My Town,” which serves to break down the popular misconceptions with the rural lifestyle showing the possibility, innovation, and connectedness in our small communities & businesses. In Season 1 of “My Town” – a Brookshire Company Production – Cory explored 7 …
Small-town success comes from positive people and things
The second season of “My Town” will expand coverage to South Dakota and Nebraska, and will also include new episodes on two rural communities in North Dakota. Hepola expects those will be announced by mid-January. Numerous studies in recent years show since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, younger adults are moving to rural areas at higher rates.
“We created ’My Town’ with a mission to break down the popular misconceptions with the rural lifestyle, showing the many reasons why people choose to live, work and play in these thriving small towns,” the host told the Times. “The mainstream rural narrative — which we see played out all over — is that our small towns are dying and there’s nothing there, but that’s simply not true.”
Hepola, 43, hails from Otter Tail County in northwest Minnesota.“My town” is based on Hepola’s life — as a husband and father — as his family now considers moving from the Twin Cities back to a small town.
Cory Hepola Returns to Minnesota: Exploring the Charms of Central Minnesota
Table of Contents
Cory Hepola, a seasoned TV news anchor, is set to explore the allure of central Minnesota in an upcoming episode of his show, “My Town.” Hepola’s journey is a testament to the region’s unique blend of frist-class healthcare, thriving small businesses, top-notch education, access to water, and a rich arts and culture scene.The show aims to highlight the many reasons why young people are increasingly choosing to live in rural communities.
A Journey Thru Profession and Outlook
Hepola’s professional journey has been nothing short of remarkable. From his early days in Fargo to stints in Washington, D.C., Montana, upstate New York, Austin, and Houston, he has finally settled back in the Twin Cities at KARE 11. His career also includes a notable tenure at WCCO Radio in Minneapolis, were he won an emmy Award for Outstanding Lifestyle Series with “Rural By Choice” in October 2023.
“I thought I’d do that the rest of my life, but as I got older, my perspective started to change,” hepola said. “What I realized was, I love where I grew up, but at 18, all I wanted was to leave my small town for the big city.Now, though, as a 40-something husband with three little kids, I was beginning to see Perham — and the small-town lifestyle — through a different lens. I could see the values.”
The Appeal of Rural Living
Hepola’s show,”My Town,” is designed to showcase the benefits of rural living. “There are a lot of people in their 30s to 50s who are considering a similar move, but they need to know it’s OK,” he said. ”Look at the data; young people are choosing to live in rural communities at higher rates than we’ve seen since the 1970s.’My Town’ — through the lives of people who have made that choice to live in a rural community — is showing the world the many reasons why.”
Discovering Central Minnesota
Hepola and his team are currently exploring stories and themes for the Saint Cloud area. One initiative that caught his eye is CentraCare’s new healthcare program aimed at training and preparing students specifically to serve in rural hospitals.This innovative program is a testament to the region’s commitment to quality healthcare.”There’s something for everyone in central Minnesota, whether that’s a first-class healthcare system, unique small businesses, top-notch education, access to water, and arts and culture,” he said. “We’re excited to experience it all.”
Table: Key Attractions in Central Minnesota
| Feature | Description |
|——————————|—————————————————————————–|
| Healthcare | first-class healthcare system with innovative training programs. |
| Small Businesses | Unique and thriving local businesses. |
| Education | Top-notch educational institutions.|
| Access to Water | scenic waterways and recreational opportunities. |
| Arts and Culture | Rich cultural scene with diverse arts and entertainment options. |
Conclusion
Cory Hepola’s return to Minnesota is more than just a homecoming; it’s an opportunity to rediscover the charm and appeal of central Minnesota. Through “My Town,” Hepola aims to showcase the many reasons why young people are choosing to live in rural communities, highlighting the unique blend of healthcare, education, and cultural offerings that make the region a desirable place to call home.
Explore more about Cory Hepola’s journey and the allure of central Minnesota.Stay tuned for more updates on “My Town” and the exciting initiatives in the region.The “My Town Series” is an engaging documentary series that delves into the lives and experiences of people living in small towns across America. Created by Cory Hepola, who himself grew up in a small town and dreamed of moving to a big city, the series offers a unique perspective on rural life. The show aims to highlight the opportunities and beauty found in these communities, as well as the strong sense of connection and community pride that often characterizes them.
In one of the episodes, the series will feature Watford City, North Dakota. This town was selected for Season 2 due to its “independent spirit combining with community pride,” as noted by the show’s producers. The town’s residents are known for their collaboration and dedication to fueling and feeding America, making it a perfect fit for the series.
The “My Town Series” is produced by The Brookshire Company and is available for streaming on YouTube and Facebook. The show has already gained significant traction,with Season 1 episodes being streamed in 43 states and 23 countries,totaling 6,000 hours of overall watch time. This widespread reach underscores the worldwide appeal of the stories and experiences showcased in the series.
Here’s a summary of the key information about the “My Town Series”:
| Season | Town Featured | State | Expected Release Date | Streaming Platforms |
|———|———————|————-|———————-|————————–|
| Season 1| Various | Various | late 2024 | YouTube, Facebook |
| Season 2| Watford city | North Dakota| Autumn 2025 | YouTube, Facebook |
The “My Town Series” continues to expand its reach, with plans to film in Granite City in September 2025 and explore eight new rural towns across five states in the heartland.This ongoing mission to advocate for rural America and showcase its unique charm and resilience is a testament to the series’ commitment to its audience.
For those interested in watching the series, it is available for free on YouTube at the “My Town Series” channel. this provides an accessible way for viewers to explore the diverse experiences and stories of people living in small towns across America.
A Q&A with Cory Hepola: Championing Rural America
Introduction
cory Hepola’s professional journey has been nothing short of remarkable. His career spans from Washington, D.C., to Montana and back to the Twin Cities at KARE 11. Known for his Emmy-winning “Rural By Choice” series, Cory now hosts “My Town,” focusing on rural living. Recently, we sat down with him to discuss his journey and the appeal of rural America.
Q&A with Cory Hepola
On Cory’s Professional Journey
“I thought I’d do that the rest of my life, but as I got older, my outlook started to change,” Hepola said.”I love where I grew up, but at 18, all I wanted was to leave my small town for the big city. Now, though, as a 40-something husband with three little kids, I was beginning to see Perham — and the small-town lifestyle — through a different lens. I could see the values.”
On the Appeal of Rural Living
“There are a lot of people in their 30s to 50s who are considering a similar move, but they need to know it’s OK,” he said. “Look at the data; young people are choosing to live in rural communities at higher rates than we’ve seen since the 1970s. ‘my Town’ — through the lives of people who have made that choice to live in a rural community — is showing the world the many reasons why.”
Discovering Central Minnesota
Hepola and his team are currently exploring stories and themes for the Saint Cloud area.One initiative that caught his eye is CentraCare’s new healthcare program aimed at training and preparing students specifically to serve in rural hospitals.”There’s something for everyone in central Minnesota, whether that’s a first-class healthcare system, unique small businesses, top-notch education, access to water, and arts and culture,” he said. “We’re excited to experience it all.”
On “my Town” Series and Future Plans
The “My town Series” is an engaging documentary series that delves into the lives and experiences of people living in small towns across America. The show aims to highlight the opportunities and beauty found in these communities, as well as the strong sense of connection and community pride that often characterizes them.
On Upcoming Episodes
In one of the episodes, the series will feature Watford City, North Dakota. This town was selected for Season 2 due to its “self-reliant spirit combining with community pride,” as noted by the show’s producers.The town’s residents are known for their collaboration and dedication to fueling and feeding America, making it a perfect fit for the series.
On Accessibility and Reach
The “My Town Series” is produced by The Brookshire Company and is available for streaming on YouTube and Facebook. The show has already gained notable traction, with Season 1 episodes being streamed in 43 states and 23 countries, totaling 6,000 hours of overall watch time. This widespread reach underscores the worldwide appeal of the stories and experiences showcased in the series.
On Communitygrpcies
The “My Town Series” continues to expand its reach,with plans to film in Granite City in September 2025 and explore eight new rural towns across five states in the heartland. This ongoing mission to advocate for rural America and showcase its unique charm and resilience is a testament to the series’ commitment to its audience.
Conclusion
Cory Hepola’s journey is a testament to the power of rediscovering one’s roots and appreciating the values of rural living. Through “My Town,” he aims to showcase the many reasons why young people are choosing to live in rural communities, highlighting the unique blend of healthcare, education, and cultural offerings that make the region a desirable place to call home.
