Overview of the Person Futures Project
On Monday, August 24, 2009 the Person County Board of County Commissioners adopted the Person County Futures Project and its five goals that will lead to the development of a strategic plan for the county. The five adopted goals are (described in more detail at the bottom of this page):
| 1) Prosper by developing the new economy locally. |
| 2) Foster a sense of community. |
| 3) Protect our land. |
| 4) Encourage lifelong learning and learning for life. |
| 5) Reimagine our county for a better future. |
The Person County Commissioners have set up working committees for each goal. Each working committee is headed by a commissioner, a county staff member and has at least eight to ten community volunteers with one serving as chairperson.
It will be the responsibility of each working committee to create a long range set of goals, develop objectives, prioritize actions, and create a method to evaluate progress toward the objectives of each goal.
Each working committee will engage others in community conversations, fact finding, and seeking new solutions, leading to the priority actions that would include budgeting, resource allocation, public / private partnerships, and volunteerism. Each group will present to the community and collaborate with the other working groups. It is anticipated that the incomplete 2007 strategic plan information will be used in conjunction with the Person County Futures Report.
In February 2010, an open countywide forum will be held in which each working committee will present its progress to the other committees and the public.
Check this website and the Courier-Times for updates on the progress of the strategic planning committees. The minutes and materials developed at each meeting will be posted on this website.
GOALS TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
PROSPER BY DEVELOPING THE NEW ECONOMY LOCALLY
The scope of this goal addresses economic development – expanding existing and developing new, locally appropriate businesses and industries and encouraging outside investment by improving the local quality of life.
FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY
The scope of this goal encompasses community development, downtown redevelopment, neighborhood planning, and historic preservation. It will develop strategies that coordinate the efforts of parks, arts, and recreation programming, commercial centers, local businesses, community organizations, churches, and schools, to create places where people can come together, to integrate newcomers to the county, engage the diverse communities within the county, celebrate local history, encourage civic engagement, and address issues of crime, drugs, gangs, and safety.
PROTECT OUR LAND
The scope of this goal encompasses issues of land conservation, environmental quality, and environmental health. It can include direct and indirect methods – from land use regulations to economic development that makes working lands economically viable and reduces the pressure on landowners to subdivide and develop forests and farmland. Strategies to ensure opportunities for outdoor recreation and to address community concerns regarding the landfill, air quality, water quality, and environmental pollutants should also be developed.
ENCOURAGE LEARNING FOR LIFE AND LIFELONG LEARNING
The scope of this goal encompasses traditional education in the schools, as well as extracurricular youth programming, enrichment programs, workforce and jobs training, and enrichment opportunities for community members of all ages. Creative strategies should utilize community assets such as youth volunteers, retired volunteers, community members with unique skills to share, and a range of public, private, and nongovernmental organizations.
REIMAGINE OUR COUNTY FOR A BETTER FUTURE
This is the broadest goal. The specific activities of the working group for this goal may be as important as the final vision they develop and may include additional community surveys and visioning activities. The focus should be developing a common vision for Person County’s future that integrates and supports the other goals. It should develop strategies for marketing this new vision internally to promote community pride and externally to encourage investment in Person County.