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Washington County, Indiana

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Washington County, Indiana WASHINGTON COUNTY, INDIANA REGIONAL OPPORTUNITY INITIATIVE PLANNING EFFORT August 16, 2019 2 Washington County, Indiana CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 4 WHAT IS A QUALITY OF PLACE AND WORKFORCE ATTRACTION PLAN? 6 HOW WAS THIS PLAN DEVELOPED? 6 WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PLANNING PROCESS? 7 HOW WAS INPUT COLLECTED? 8 ONLINE SURVEY RESULTS SNAPSHOT 9 WASHINGTON COUNTY TODAY 12 SUCCESS STORIES 14 WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORY 15 REGIONAL CONTEXT 16 GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND TAXING AUTHORITIES 18 DEMOGRAPHICS AND HOUSING 22 ECONOMIC CONDITIONS & INDUSTRY BASE 26 LAND USE AND ZONING 33 TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY 34 UTILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE 38 COMMUNITY SERVICES 42 PARKS, OPEN SPACE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES 44 TOURISM AND ATTRACTIONS 46 A VISION FOR WASHINGTON COUNTY 50 PLAN THEMES & BIG IDEAS 52 TRACKING METRICS 67 IMPLEMENTATION 68 HOW WILL WE IMPLEMENT THE BIG IDEAS? 70 IMPLEMENTATION WORKING DOCUMENTS 83 Quality of Place & Workforce Attraction Plan 3 INTRODUCTION The following pages are intended to answer the most common questions about the planning process for this project such as what, why, and how. Additionally, information regarding the public engagement efforts are outlined and summarized into several key takeaways. 4 5 WHAT IS A QUALITY OF The Washington County Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan will provide the county and community leaders the resources necessary PLACE AND WORKFORCE to strategically plan for, develop, and implement projects and programs ATTRACTION PLAN? that build quality of place, grow regional capacity for workforce development and attraction, and improve the attributes and amenities that make the Indiana Uplands a desirable place to live, work and play. This plan was funded by a grant from the Regional Opportunity Initiatives, Inc. (ROI) and was completed as part of an overarching strategy for improving economic and community prosperity in the Indiana Uplands region (Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington counties.) HOW WAS THIS PLAN DEVELOPED? 1 2 3 STORY DEVELOPMENT & DATA ANALYSIS, VISION, & SOLUTION ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES DEVELOPMENT Phase One Phase Two Phase Three Story Development & Engagement Data Analysis, Vision & Solution Development is intended is intended to provide an Opportunities is intended to to provide the County with a understanding of the county’s provide an understanding of the key prioritized list of catalytic project current conditions, history and community goals related to quality initiatives and a workplan for assets. of place assets. implementation. This phase included: This phase included: This phase included: • Client Kick-Off Meeting • Development of Preliminary • QPAT Working Session • QPAT Working Session Capital Projects, Programs & • Final Quality of Life & Recommendations • Existing Physical & Workforce Plan Demographic Conditions • QPAT Working Session • Public Presentation Research • Presentation of Preliminary • Placemaking Community • Community Survey Feedback Capital Projects, Programs & Service Project recommendations • Public Workshop • Placemaking Service Project Development Identification 6 Washington County, Indiana WHAT IS THE PURPOSE Washington County completed this planning process with a goal of creating a long-term vision plan that would assist in the development of OF THE PLANNING a strong quality of place and the attraction of a qualified workforce. PROCESS? After acceptance of the plan by the ROI, Washington County will be able to apply for a competitive implementation grants for projects or programs that align with the strategic priorities identified in this plan. The Ready Communities Implementation Grant can be used for projects and programs such as Aesthetics and Beautification Enhancements, Connectivity Infrastructure Development, and/or Community Cohesion and Support initiatives. Outside of the regional opportunities initiative, Washington County can utilize this plan to obtain various local, state, and federal grants or other resources to complete the recommendations outlined in the plan. Gateway sign into Salem, Indiana Quality of Place & Workforce Attraction Plan 7 HOW WAS INPUT COLLECTED? including economic and workforce development, quality of life, and health and wellness. Additionally, the team QPAT Working Sessions completed a project wishlist exercise and brainstormed In early January of 2019, the Quality of Place Advisory Team ideas for the placemaking community service project. (QPAT) was formed by the Washington County Community Meeting #2 Foundation, and was made up of 9 members including: Prior to this meeting, the project team sent out an online • Sabrina Burdine, Washington County Economic survey to QPAT. The survey provided an opportunity Growth Partnership to review and prioritize the draft big idea statements. Majority of the meeting was spent discussing the results • Judy Johnson, Washington County Community of the survey and addressing any feedback on the big idea Foundation statements and/or how they should be prioritized. • Justin Green, City of Salem Meeting #3 • Cheryl Lee, Washington County Awareness Prior to this meeting, the project team sent out an existing • Seth Purlee, Washington County Fair Board conditions report and draft recommendations that included an implementation matrix. The QPAT team was asked to • Ryan Buchanan, Skyline Suites review the materials ahead of the meeting and come with • Tom Hein, Bear Creek Cattle comments. Majority of the meeting consisted of discussion • Tara Kritzer, Washington County Chamber of around the final edits of the existing conditions report, Commerce which included refining the sections about agriculture and retail market potential and revising some of the priorities • Jill Saegesser, River Hills Economic Development. and recommendations. This group convened three times throughout the planning process to review materials and make decisions that helped guide the process and development of the Quality of Place and Workforce Attraction Plan. Meeting #1 During this meeting, the project team introduced the planning process and schedule to the QPAT team. Majority of the discussion was focused on the three project themes Washington County Public Open House Washington County Public Open House 8 Washington County, Indiana Quality of Place & Workforce Attraction Plan Attraction Quality ofPlace& Workforce ONLINE SURVEYRESULTSSNAPSHOT WHAT ARE THE WHAT ARE BIGGEST ISSUES WASHINGTON WASHINGTON COUNTY COUNTY’S ASSETS? IS FACING? 9 Public Open House Public Presentation A public open house was held on April 30, 2019 from The project concluded with a public presentation on July 22, 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Community Learning Center in 2019 at the Washington County Government Center. The Salem. Nearly 50 people attended this event. Attendees project team gave a brief presentation over the process, were asked questions about Washington County’s assets data analysis, public input, and the recommendations for and opportunities. The purpose of this event was to gather each big idea. input from community members about their big ideas for improving economic and workforce development, quality of After the presentation, attendees were invited to life, and health and wellness in Washington County. review a series of boards that outlined the big ideas and recommendations. This exercises provided an opportunity The following statements offer some of the key takeaways to answer two questions, “Did we miss something?” and from the public event: “What are your TOP TWO priorities?” • Bike shops, trails, recovery programs, farm to table, family fun activities were ideas generated for improving health and wellness. • Agri-tourism, beef cooperative, small business incubators, and collaboration were ideas generated for improving economic and workforce development. • Broadband accessibility, quality pre-K programs, blight removal, youth centers , and a new water park were ideas generated for improving the quality of life. Online Survey In addition to the public open house, community members were provided the opportunity to complete an online survey. There were 139 people who completed the survey which totaled over 700 unique comments collected. Of the 139 respondents, 78 percent of them were between the ages of 31 to 64 and lived in either the rural part of the Washington County or Salem. The following statements offer some of the key takeaways from the online survey: • Washington County’s people, small town feel, and rural atmosphere were identified as assets. • Entertainment businesses, more recreational facilities, and youth engagement are at the top of Washington County’s wishlist. • Some of the ideas for strengthening small and large businesses included collaboration efforts, advertising, and tax breaks. 10 Washington County, Indiana Public Engagement Summary Public Visioning Workshop Online Survey 139 People46 Signed-In People Took the Survey 215 763 Unique Comments were Collected Unique Comments were Collected Key Takeaways County-wide clean-up & property improvement More activities for teens, seniors and families Collaboration between county school corporations More housing options Address drug and alcohol addiction More amenities for bicyclists and pedestrians (trails, sidewalks, bike racks) More opportunities for exercise & nutrition education Improve connectivity to I-65 Expand and improve existing parks in the County Attract and retain talent in the County Support agricultural-related businesses and activities Grow the industrial
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