Last week, I attended the SMART train groundbreaking celebration at the Foley Family Community Pavilion in Healdsburg, and while the event marked an important transportation milestone, what struck me most was something far more personal, it felt incredibly Healdsburg.

As I looked around the pavilion, I saw familiar faces everywhere. Fellow business owners, community leaders, neighbors, and people I’ve known for years. I ran into friends I could greet by first name, shared conversations with longtime community members, and felt that unmistakable sense of pride that comes from living in a town where relationships still matter.

I was especially proud to see my fellow Rotarian and friend, Mike McGuire, there supporting such an important project. It was a reminder that progress in a town like Healdsburg often happens because people genuinely care enough to show up. And that’s exactly what happened last week, people showed up.

Nearly 1,000 attendees gathered to celebrate the long-awaited SMART train expansion that will eventually connect Windsor to Healdsburg. The extension will bring rail service north, create expanded bike and pedestrian pathways, and make travel to and from Sonoma County easier for both residents and visitors.

By late 2028, visitors may be able to travel from San Francisco to Healdsburg without ever getting behind the wheel, taking a ferry to Larkspur, boarding SMART, and arriving right here in wine country.

That could be transformative for our hospitality industry, local businesses, and yes, our real estate market as accessibility continues to shape how people choose where they want to live.

But what gives me confidence is that Healdsburg has always managed growth thoughtfully. We’ve evolved from a small agricultural town into an internationally recognized destination for wine, food, and lifestyle. Yet somehow we’ve maintained the very thing people love most about this community: connection.

Last week reminded me that Healdsburg’s future looks incredibly bright. Not simply because a train is coming. But because this town continues to grow while holding tightly to the relationships, leadership, and community spirit that make Healdsburg feel like home.

And judging by the smiles in this photo, I’d say that spirit is alive and well.