Creating a great community takes many voices. Over the past few months, the Economic Vitality Project (EVP) has developed to improve life for everyone across Ellettsville, Bloomington and Monroe County. We need your voice at the table … and we have some EVP updates to share.
First, you are invited to take a 5-minute Monroe County Community Survey at economicvitalityproject.com. This new survey gathers views on everything from housing to jobs, transportation, recreation, arts, culture, health, safety and support for business, entrepreneurship and nonprofit organizations of all sizes. No special knowledge is required — we want to learn from your experience living or working in Monroe County. The questionnaire builds on our July call for EVP focus group and committee participants. Completed the earlier survey? Your feedback is needed and welcome here, too!
Your input will help the Economic Vitality Project team — which consists of residents, workers and leaders — develop an action plan to meet community needs by working across sectors. The EVP is building a shared vision for our community’s future. It will advance actions to achieve that vision in areas like housing, workforce, jobs, infrastructure and quality of life.
Community involvement to date has included 60 participants (and counting!) in focus groups and interviews, 30 individuals in the project’s first working session and 24 community members serving as Steering Committee and Advisory group members to help move the project forward. Our goal is to reach at least 1,000 community members through our latest survey.
Thus far, participating community members have weighed in on the “who, what, and how” of what is needed for our future. Key takeaways are:
(1) Who: A Vision Developed by the Community, to Serve the Community is key. That vision involves a community attractive to all people, individuals and families, from diverse backgrounds, ages and income levels.
(2) What: Build a Community Known For Vitality, featuring affordability, safety, vibrancy, diversity, smart growth, innovation, a future focus, ample housing, job opportunities and cultural and economic assets (arts, education, the outdoors, sports and charm).
(3) How: Work Collaboratively to Create Impactful Change. Plans created and implemented through inclusive representation are better informed and have a higher potential for meaningful impact.
Next steps include a series of white papers and working sessions focused on workforce, housing, jobs, infrastructure, and quality of life. They will be informed by the community survey, to build actionable solutions that address the everyday needs of community members. To learn more about the Economic Vitality Project, visit www.economicvitalityproject.com. The Bloomington Economic Development Corp. (BEDC) and many other partners have advanced this project as a gift for the future of our community. Fourth Economy Consulting is facilitating the work to ensure a community-wide approach for implementing change. We hope you will take the survey and join us.
Jennifer Pearl is president of the Bloomington Economic Development Corp.
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