The story of Hope had spread throughout the region, and what had started out as a settlement of outcasts was now attracting not only those with no where to go, but also well-to-do families that valued the freedom Hope afforded them.  On the corner of Walter and Maple Streets, relatively nice homes were constructed by some of the wealthier families that had moved into the town.  These families contributed significantly to the economy of Hope, helping to further the development of the farms around the town – one family in particular, the Terring family, acquired a large number of cattle that they had graze behind their home, and the selling of the milk and meat became their primary business.

The Hope Council was formed to run the affairs of the town, and would convene every Friday at the Lord’s House Church on Walter Street.  The church was the meeting spot of the town, and the Friday meetings were attended by all.  With the population of the town growing beyond 200 people, it had become important for the residents to have some kind of leadership to help guide the growth and prosperity of Hope.  While the cattle were owned by Terring, the farms were all the property of the town, and the income provided from the crops were distributed equally amongst all the families.  Of course, that did not mean some of the families did not start operating side businesses – the Brook family, for example, now had a couple of trailers in their logistics company to help transport goods not only to and from Hope, but also other settlements in the area.  The Glass family began working as the primary contractors in Hope, building everything from walls to houses, while the Hodom family opened up a design and décor office and helped fabricate furniture for the town’s residents. 

The Hope Council was eager to see the development of the town, and the first project they unanimously voted for was the upgrading of Walter Street – they wanted to turn the muddy dirt road into a cobblestone street that connected all the way to the primary road on the outskirts of town.  They had enough EDs saved up to make the project happen relatively quickly, and once they were down with Walter Street, the paving of Maple Street would begin.