RSS Feed |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Citizens share ideas for future
They took part in an intense series of meetings and work groups over the weekend in an effort to identify economic opportunities in the county that will serve as the basis for creating a viable revitalization plan for the area. The planning sessions were the first step in a process that will result in a master plan, which will map out steps for creating a diversified economic structure and strategy for the future. The Early County 2055 revitalization project kicks off May 7-16 with a weeklong schedule of community meetings focused on everything from traffic and affordable housing to zoning, building codes and regional environmental quality. The community is invited to participate in the meetings and share ideas and perspectives regarding the development strategy. A barbecue and presentation is scheduled for the evening of May 8 on the Courthouse Square. "This past weekend the community looked at the city and county-wide assets and opportunities that exist in the area," said Barton Rice, the executive director of the Rice Family Foundation. "The community enthusiasm for this effort was wonderful and the meetings were very successful. The result was an outline of ideas and perspectives that we will use as the basis for the upcoming "charrette" next week, which will solidify the details of the initiative and will be incorporated into plans that will be implemented over the coming years." According to Lisa Collins, the project manager of Early County 2055 who previously oversaw UPtown Columbus, Inc., a non-profit, economic revitalization organization in Columbus, the Economic Opportunities Weekend was extremely successful. "People from all walks of life came and worked side-by-side on the economic vision for the future of Early County," she said. "Everyone worked hard in their individual workshops. We looked at the resources we have in the area - cultural, recreational and business - and established a working plan that will serve as the core for next week's Early County 2055 planning workshops." Early County 2055 is a 50-year revitalization program for Early County and Blakely, made possible through a gift from the Charles and Catherine B. Rice Foundation. Its purpose is to create a healthy business climate for the local community, enhance the quality of life for local residents and sustain growth for the city of Blakely and its surrounding county. The program was initiated by the Charles and Catherine B. Rice Foundation of Atlanta, Ga., which is providing a generous grant to fund the first step in the program and set up the funding mechanisms that will ensure long term success for the project." Charles Rice is the founder of Barton Protective Services Inc., which was an international security firm headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. He grew up in Blakely, where his parents settled in the 1930s. He met his wife Catherine there and their son, Barton, spent many of his summers visiting his grandparents. Because of their strong family history in Blakely and Early County, the Rice family wants to provide the area with an opportunity to prepare for the future, and to grow and prosper through new economic opportunities. "Communities across the country are experiencing economic challenges because of the overall change in the marketplace and the gradual decline in population because of urban migration. Only a handful of these communities have the opportunity that Blakely and Early County has to change, and to focus on bringing people back to the area to live and work," said Ms. Collins. "Right now the Early County 2055 initiative is a vision for growth and prosperity. As a newcomer, I see an excited and energetic community that I am looking forward to working with to strengthen Early County's roots - its heritage and culture - while stimulating its economic base for the future." According to Barton Rice, the week of May 7-14, the community is invited to attend the "charrette" process, which is a collaborative method of planning that entails participation and input from the community. "We will hold a series of focus groups and town meetings to get local input about what the county and city need and what the key points are regarding the revitalization effort," he said. "These meetings will involve the entire community and will be led by PlaceMakers, a Miamibased land planning and development advisory firm. The community's involvement is vital and encouraged." The details about the meetings and charrette will be posted on a daily basis on the EC2055 website www.earlycounty2055.com. A schedule of meetings and events will be posted around town and in the Early County News. Ms. Collins also stressed that it is important for everyone to participate, attend meetings, see the work in process, ask questions, voice concerns and offer ideas. "The plan is to get everyone in the community involved in the strategic process to rejuvenate the area. The project will focus on 1) developing a long-term vision that builds upon the existing strengths of the area, 2) crafting a physical plan that will help the community realize its vision, and 3) generating a successful blueprint for executing the plan," she explained. "Once the initial planning process is over we will have a strategic plan that can be implemented over the next five decades that will have relevance to the current residents of the community, as well as bring funding and business into the area. "Once our economic revitalization plan is developed, we will break down the specific objectives into short and long-term strategic activities. The public and private sectors will be involved in working on various task forces and committees to implement the strategies we have identified, said Ms. Collins. "I want to emphasize that the community is the key participant in this effort. We need everyone's help to make this work. The PlaceMakers group will be here to gather information from the community and develop a workable master plan with goals to be achieved by the people in Blakely and Early County." Ms Collins added that the ultimate goal is to bond the community together, to help existing industry grow and expand, to attract new industry and to make Early County a destination of choice for people looking to relocate for a better quality of life.
"I am happy to be a part of such an important and worthwhile project and I am looking forward to working with the people of Early County in preparation of a great future." she said.
|
for larger version       |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
)
