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VisionWorks' Breakthrough Solutions
Community and Regional Success Stories
Focus Garland County Completes Plan, Moves to Action – January 2004
Focus Garland County, the broad-based strategic visioning
initiative that involved over 1300 citizens in describing and
planning for the future of Garland County, has completed its
strategic plan. "The strategic plan reflected the goals and
aspirations of the citizens and leaders of the county in 8
categories: economic development, education, cultural issues,
environment, infrastructure, recreation and entertainment,
transportation, and youth," states Darlene Garrett, who was hired to
coordinate Focus Garland County. "Even though the last 2 years were
hard work, the leadership team members were willing to tackle the
tough issues and exhibited perseverance and commitment, always with
their eyes on the future."
The Focus Garland County Leadership Team includes representatives
from the City of Hot Springs, Garland County Cooperative Extension
Service, Garland County Community College, Garland County Economic
Development Corporation, Garland County Government, Greater Hot
Springs Chamber of Commerce, Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion
Commission, and the Hot Springs Village Property Owners Association.
Kent Myers, Hot Springs City Manager and member of the Focus
Garland County Leadership Team comments on the process: "I think the
process of bringing so many citizens and leaders together has been
more valuable than the plan itself. Discussing our long-term future
has been valuable. In addition, the wheels of bureaucracy often
grind slow, and all of this citizen involvement has helped move
things along. The sheer number of visions was a real challenge, and
getting (those visions) grouped into priorities. Another challenge
was keeping the public informed about what is going on. A lot of
committee work was taking place behind the scenes, and it was a
challenge to keep the public and media informed."
Asked what advice he would give to other communities, Myers
stated: "The process needs to be done every four to five years to
stay up to date with the changes that are taking place in the
community. The crucial thing is to have a facilitator who spearheads
the process in the community."
Focus Garland County has already several projects underway in
response to the visions expressed by the citizens and leaders of
Garland County:
- A grant writing institute was developed, offering training for
public non-profits, and even businesses.
- Improvement of the bathhouses became a high priority in the
community, with the entire leadership of the community coming
together to address this. The city, chamber of commerce, Fifty for
the Future, and other organizations hired a consultant, involved
Congressman Mike Ross’s office, and are moving forward toward
renovation of the bathhouses.
- The whole neighborhood movement has increased momentum. The city
is recognizing neighborhood associations, and new associations are
being formed.
- Focus Garland County brought in 28 non-profit organizations
related to the arts to develop a comprehensive arts directory and
explore opportunities for collaboration.
- A health sector career ladder initiative was developed, with the
Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce providing leadership (health care is
the largest employer in Garland County).
- The county received a grant to support several EAST Lab students
in writing software and tabulating the results of the Focus Garland
County visioning process.
- Community Development Resources Incorporated (CDRI), a new
community development corporation, was formed to develop and promote
the sound use of resources for housing, economic, and community
advancement. Darlene Garrett is the Executive Director of CDRI. With
a board from across the community, CDRI has these projects underway:
- a downtown development conference
- development of affordable housing
- a non-profit art studio that features local artists
- a Hearts for Arts Project to raise funds to support developing a
performing hall in the community
- training for neighborhood associations
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