GOSHEN a After months of hard work, multiple community gatherings and input from hundreds of county residents, the Vibrant Communities Draft Action Agenda for Elkhart County is finally ready for unveiling.
The result of more than 3,500 comments contributed by more than 900 residents over a series of community conversations, small-group meetings and online submissions since the initiativeas kickoff in late January, the Vibrant Communities Draft Action Agenda details the top projects, places and policies area residents feel will truly improve their communities.
The goal of the initiative, co-sponsored by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau, is to ensure the future prosperity and quality of life of the entire county moving forward.
In celebration of the achievement, the Draft Action Agenda will be publicly unveiled during what steering committee members are calling the aSummit on the Futurea Tuesday, June 7, at the Lerner Theatre in downtown Elkhart.
aItas basically a compilation of the ideas that came forward during the community conversations, so the draft action agenda will be broken down by community,a said Terry Mark, director of communications with the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Local band Lalo Cura will be performing, and free soft drinks and refreshments will be available.
a 5 to 6:30 p.m.: Keynote speaker Jamie Bennett, plus formal unveiling of Draft Action Agenda.
a 6:30 p.m.: Announcement of a $50,000 initiative by the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Community Foundation of Elkhart County to jump-start the Action Agenda.
a 6:30 to 7 p.m.: Crystal Ballroom again open for public to review, discuss and comment on Draft Action Agenda.
Given the success of the initiativeas January kickoff, where more than 600 community members converged on the Lerner Theatre, Mark said heas anticipating a similarly large crowd at Tuesdayas event and is encouraging people to register in advance by visiting www.vibrantelkhartcounty.org/the-summit-on-the-future.
Whatas next
Mark said the plan is for the Vibrant Communities steering committee to compile any additional feedback on the action agenda received during Tuesdayas event and make any needed tweaks or adjustments then finalize the agenda. A series of workshops will then be scheduled over the next year to assist local communities with the implementation of their action agendas.
aWhat weave learned from the Community Conversations process is there is a deep desire from all corners of Elkhart County to embrace creativity,a said Diana Lawson, executive director of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
