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VisionWorks' Breakthrough Solutions
Community and Regional Success Stories
Mena Tackles Large Projects - November 2002
VISION 2010 is active in Mena, with big projects underway,
according to Carla Vaught, County Extension Agent - Staff Chair.
Earlier this year, the Polk County VISION 2010 team surveyed over
900 residents of the county to determine their highest priorities.
These following projects and activities were initiated in response
to that survey:
- Annual Meeting of the Polk County VISION 2010 on November 4
- The Youth Committee is working on a plan for a recreational
complex and community center on a 77-acre tract of land the City of Mena recently purchased on the north edge of town. Softball
diamonds, baseball diamonds, and a place for youth groups to meet
are high on the priority list.
- The Quality of Life Committee has been working with the Arkansas
Department of Human Services and Healthy Connections to develop a
community health center. The community health center will be located
in a renovated building and will provide health care to everyone who
comes, regardless of whether or not they have insurance. The Quality
of Life Committee has also held dental screenings in the school,
brought a dental sealant program into the schools, and sponsored a
health fair and senior fair.
- The Industrial Committee is seeking to attract industries to
locate at the industrial park next to the airport. The county lost
500 jobs last year when Alf Clothing closed, making Polk County the
county with the highest unemployment rate in the state.
When asked what were the key elements to these successful
initiatives, Ms. Vaught replied: "The issues that came from the
survey were very clear. We surveyed over 900 residents of the county
to determine their highest priorities, and these issues and
priorities were very clear. Secondly, you taught us how to
collaborate, and this collaboration has been very effective."
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