GRANT TOWN HALL MEETING NOTES

March 22, 2010

 

Meeting Purpose:  Perkins County Planning & Zoning Commission seeking public input on update of Comprehensive Plan.

 

Comprehensive Plan Components & Purpose:

 

Attendees:  (See attached spreadsheet)

 

Current Attributes of Perkins County & Communities in Perkins County – (Strengths)

o   Excellent Emergency System

o   Safety

o   Good Schools

o   Airport

o   Clean Environment

o   Attractive Farmsteads

o   Young People Returning

o   Variety of Retirement Facilities

o   Youth Center

o   Growing Hospital

o   Clean

o   Storefronts Full

o   Friendly Folks

o   Ambition

o   Prosperous

o   Pleasant Landscape

o   Big Sky – Green Space

o   Strong Financial Institution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vision (Desired Future - What We Want to See in 10-15 Years)

 

Priority Score

Projects/Goals/Objectives

28

Sustain health care systems (home roots)

18

Multi employee businesses e.g., IBP

14

Vibrant school systems (enrollment)

14

Entrepreneurial options – vision & energy – young people have a variety of job options

11

Stabilize population base – prefer to increase by 10%

10

Desirable housing options

8

Swimming pool

7

Family entertainment

5

Tracking system for high school students

4

Small, sustainable family farms for local consumption

4

Strong collaborations – agriculture, businesses

4

Clean downtown, paint, sweep, minor repairs

4

Good wages

4

Dining options(s) without driving to Ogallala

2

Churches that attract young people

2

Residents enthusiastic for life

1

Residential lots available

0

18 hole golf course

0

State line road paved

0

Track seniors to use senior facilities

0

Remove dilapidated housing both city and rural

0

Small town spirit

Assets (What We Bring to the Table)

Community

·         Landscape of Rolling Land

·         Quiet Relaxing Surroundings

·         Collaboration Among Business, Organizations & Public Entitites

·         Communication

·         Organization

·         Neat Appearance

·         Good Curb Appeal & First Impression

·         Store Fronts Full

·         Prosperous

·         Big Sky

·         No Turbines

·         Airport

·         Good School

·         Life is Vibrant Adventure with Rest Points

·         Enthusiastic About Life

·         Great Plains Communications - State of the Art Broadband Service

·         Library

·         Pool, Recreation CenterRepublican River Restoration Partners Prepare the Ag Industry for Next 20 Years

·         Quality Work Force – Low Turnover

·         Perkins County Community Foundation

·         Perkins County Youth Development Club

·         Grant City Council – Overall Operation and Viability

·         Churches

·         Working with People at Farmers’ Market

·         Volunteers

·         High School & Health Services Conduct Career Days & Work/Study Programs to Encourage Local Opportunities

·         Plainsman Inn & RV Park

·         Thrivent Financial – Area Church Group Projects

·         Habitat for Humanity

·         Task Forces for Projects

·         Work Study Projects

·         Art Downtown

·         Churches – Food Pantry

·         Planning Commission Collaboration

·         Rural Enterprise Assistance Program – Microenterprise Assistance

·         School & School Board – Connect Students with Businesses

·         Nebraska Business Development Center – Business Succession

 

 

Individual

·         Willingness to Work Hard

·         Love Working with Youth

·         Medical Knowledge and/or Experience

·         Mentor

·         Desire for Public Good

·         Provide Leadership & Encouragement Especially to Young Couples

·         Communication, Collaboration, Organization

·         Growing Family

·         Web Designer

·         Volunteer

·         Ability to Get Others to Cooperate

·         Entrepreneurial

·         Outgoing Personality

·         Problem Solver

·         Leadership

·         Time

·         Energy

·         Think Outside of Box

·         Curious

·         Recruit Seniors from outside Perkins County to Our Local Amenities

·         Welcoming & Helpful

·         Completes Tasks

·         50 Years Experience – Don’t Have to Reinvent the Wheel

·         Help Others with Goals to Create Beautiful Yards etc. – Beauty to the Community

 

Challenges & Opportunities

o   Combine technology with productivity re:  Republican River and water use

o   Creating awareness – educating the public e.g., agricultural applications etc.

o   More volunteerism

o   Young Leaders

o   Mentoring (businesses) young people

o   Maintaining safety

o   Regulations or restrictions on water; environment (Environmental Protection Agency)

o   Keep hospital progressive and recruite new people to practice

o   Complete globally

o   Need good wages

o   Maintain vibrant downtown

o   Newcomers e.g., how they are welcomed, opportunities to network etc.

 

 

Trends – (What we Need to Be Aware of)

ό  Government policy e.g., Environmental Protection Agency, farming, health care, regulations, clean air & water

ό  Water is a valuable resource that is being threatened

ό  Balance between growth and progress vs. keeping area clean, safe etc.

ό  Zoning can inhibit progress