Quint Studer spoke at the Greater Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce banquet on Thursday night.

Studer is a community volunteer and head of the Studer Community Institute, a nonprofit, research-based entity started in 2014 with the goal of improving the quality of life in the community. SCI’s efforts focus on improving education and economic development through three tracks: Research and advocacy in early childhood education, leadership training and employee development for small and medium-sized businesses and increasing civic knowledge and engagement.

Quint and Rishy have also dedicated themselves to improving the quality of life for people in the Pensacola Metro Area through their philanthropy.The Studers have donated more than millions to worthwhile causes throughout the community. Their gifts include multi-million donations for a new downtown YMCA, a new Studer Family Children’s Hospital at Sacred Heart and gifts to the University of West Florida College for Entrepreneurship and the Pensacola Pledge Scholarship fund to help local students attend Pensacola State College or UWF. They also have donated to multiple non-profit organizations in the area who share the same mission.Buildings on the historic corner of Palafox and Main Street have been renovated and opened home to the Bodacious Olive, Bodacious Brew, Brew Thru, SoGourmet and SoChopped. Along with the Shops they own 5eleven event space in the downtown area. Quint and Rishy are the co-owners of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and Bubba’s Sweet Spot alongside two-time Masters Champion and local hero Bubba Watson.

In Brewton Thursday night, Studer shared ways to make a vibrant downtown, something locals have been wanting for years.

He said it’s important to ask, “What’s our goal?”

Studer said the goal is to make it the greatest place for people to live.

He told those gathered that Brewton had many things going, including a high graduation rate.

He said it’s important to set a dashboard to ensure that you get on the same page.

Studer offered the following tips to help make a vibrant city.

First, find economic wealth.

“Which companies get their revenue from outside?” he said. “Love them to death. They don’t need you.”

Secondly, for startups, you need to find money, he said.

Studer said that oftentimes presidents take credit for the economy, but it’s really private investors.

“Reagan and Clinton had different philosophies, but they lived in good times,” he said.

He said another thing for downtown is vertical growth. High rises pay higher taxes and allows more green spaces.

The fourth thing, he said, it residence. Getting people to live downtown.