March
24, 2010
Meeting Purpose:
Comprehensive Plan Components &
Purpose:
Attendees: (See attached spreadsheet)
Current Attributes of
Perkins County & Communities in
o
Public Transit – serves everyone,
especially great for aging population
o
Venango Downtown Development
o
Mail Delivery
o
Arts Council
o
Wide Open Spaces
o
Easy Access to Travel
o
Outdoor Recreation
o
Farming Community
o
Vested Community Members
o
Fiscally Conservative
o
Pride in Children
o
Facilities for Elderly e.g., assisted
living
o
Excellent Schools
o
o
Medical Services e.g., fire, EMT, ambulance
o
Low Crime Rate
o
Low Cost of Living
o
Good Rural Roads
o
Clean Air & Good Water
o
Good Law Enforcement
o
Good People
o
Churches
o
Alumni Association
Vision (Desired Future -
What We Want to See in 10-15 Years)
|
Priority Score |
Projects/Goals/Objectives |
|
10 |
Variety
of business options to retain and/or recruit young people including
encouragement for young people who want to farm |
|
8 |
Available
amenities e.g., lodging options, gas station, convenience store etc. |
|
7 |
Water
to meet needs for drinking and agriculture (protect water supply) |
|
6 |
Infrastructure
to grow and/or support businesses such as grain industry, fertilizer,
agriculture etc e.g., railroad |
|
6 |
Invest
in ourselves – collaborate for capital improvements e.g., private funding such
as annual donations, hunt challenge etc. and using tools like tax increment
financing |
|
5 |
Useable
truck route to elevator – easier access, “business loop” |
|
4 |
Wind
Power |
|
3 |
Support
for existing businesses – economic maintenance |
|
2 |
Financial
Institution |
|
2 |
Housing
options e.g., size, affordability, safe, decent, sanitary |
|
1 |
Helping
with school debt (similar to what the hospital is currently doing) |
|
1 |
Paved
road going north & south to highway 6 |
|
0 |
Up to
date technology e.g., broadband |
|
0 |
Housing
options for aging population |
|
0 |
Capitalize
on tourism and agri-tourism |
|
0 |
Trees
on |
Assets (What We Bring to
the Table)
Community
·
Fire Department
·
Water System
·
Electrical System
·
Churches
·
Clubs – Lion, Legion
·
Post Office
·
People
·
Existing Businesses
·
Community Development Groups
·
Clean Up Town Day
·
Individual
·
Carpenter
·
Fire Department Member
·
Knowledge of Equipment
·
Experience Working with People
·
Desire to Help
·
Organization
·
Work with Children
·
Like to Work with Flowers
·
Business Owner
·
Ability to Work with Groups – Lead if
Comfortable with Subject
·
Like to Write
·
Ability to Speak in Public
·
Energy
·
Driver
·
Leader
·
Knowledge of Ag Economy
·
Desire for Better Life
·
Family
·
Professional Business Experience
·
Organic Crop Production
·
Curiosity
·
Ambition
·
Helping People
·
Working with Kids & Church
·
Gardening
·
Business Owner
·
·
Helping With People – Helping With Projects
· Knowledge of and Access to Information Regarding Community Development Block Grants for Business Development, Tourism, Housing & Community Development
Challenges &
Opportunities
o
Address day care Needs
o
Recreational opportunities
o
Housing that meets needs vs. cost of
housing
o
Marketing attributes – framing rural –
outreach to young people while still in school to appreciate rural living
o
Eligible for grant programs – encourage
completion of Census
o
Labor force – recruit & retain –
employment opportunities for spouses & availability of day care
o
Getting young people involved
Trends – (What we Need to
Be Aware of)
ü Legislation
or regulations that create unnecessary barriers e.g., to water usage,
application of fertilizer etc.
ü Increase
in taxes.
ü Wind
energy development benefit to our local communities (consortium formed –
landowners association).
ü Children
leave after high school and don’t return perhaps due to job opportunities
and/or low wages.