TAKE CHARGE

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• TAKE CHARGE
• in Cumberland County
• March 20, 27, and April 3, 2003
• Prepared by Jon F. Johnson, Area Specialist VCE

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Name Tags, Notebooks, Registration Forms, and
Smiles
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Delicious Food
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Meeting One WHERE ARE WE NOW?
March 20, 2003
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Explanation of the Role of Technology and Take
Charge
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An overview of the activities
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Lots of Group Work and Brainstorming
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Reporting the Strengths in Cumberland

• Public Parks
• Youth Activities
• Strong Technology Training in Schools
• Diversity of Churches
• Good Work Ethic

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Reporting on the Weaknesses in Cumberland

• Low numbers of manufacturing industries to
  generate revenue (20)
• Few employment opportunities (13)
• Lack of job skills (9)
• Inadequate space for student enrollment (8)

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Weaknesses

• Lack of leadership (6)
• Low college enrollments (6)
• High/middle school complex (6)
• Secondary roads (6)
• Sludge being spread in the county (6)

• No school agricultural or vocational training (6)
• Low high school graduation rates (4)
• People resisting change (4)
• No public water supply (4)
• High Poverty (3)

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Charging Ahead with Session II
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WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE?
March 27, 2003
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What is Currently Underway!
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Preparing the Vision
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Sharing the Groups Vision
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Our Dream for Cumberland in 2020

• Regional industrial park
• Airport expansion
• By-pass around courthouse with pedestrian access
  to courthouse complex
• Historic colonial style facades on business in
  Cumberland Courthouse area (building code)
• Broadband access and improved technological
  infrastructure throughout county

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Our Dream for Cumberland in 2020

• Land use planning for housing development,
  recreational areas and facilities, services, and
  promote controlled development (i.e. Bear Creek
  Lake, recreation/wellness center in Cumberland
  Courthouse area, grocery store, and shopping
  areas)
• Public water and sewer throughout the county

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Our Dream for Cumberland in 2020

• Fire and rescue services at John Randolph
  Community Center
• Promotion of festivals, antique shows, outdoor
  concerts, etc.
• Health care facilities (hospitals, nursing and
  retirement homes)
• Reservoir in the northern portion of the county
• New high/middle school(s)

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Our Dream for Cumberland in 2020

• Public golf courses
• Development of horse industry
• Zoning for large lots and homes
• Visitors Center
• Water Parks

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Session IIIHOW ARE WE GOING TO GET THERE?
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Working Together to Get There!

• Each slice of the cake represents everyones
  contribution to create the whole picture for
  Cumberland County.
• Sharing your perspective makes YOU the TOPs!

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Summary of Outcomes

• Greater use of local newspapers, churches,
  bulletins in local stores, radio, and development
  of an online community website to increase
  awareness of public appointments and request for
  civic participation.
• Utilize the TOP initiative to develop a community
  technology plan that can be shared with local
  leaders and planners.

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Summary of Outcomes

• Utilize technology and technology planning as a
  component for economic growth and retention of
  existing business.
• Recognize that successful economic and social
  growth is a step by step building process.
• Use the community website as mechanism to improve
  communication among citizens and local leaders.

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Summary of Outcomes

• Refine the business survey of local businesses
  using computer and the Intranet to include
  information of residential usage.
• Distribute the survey through the student
  population of the county school system.
• Prepare for grant funding opportunities that pay
  for infrastructure improvements.

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Summary of Outcomes

• Economic development is analogous to a shopping
  mall.
• Anchor stores (components) are needed to support
  and pull-in other businesses into the mall.
• Technology and other infrastructure can act as
  the connection between anchor stores and people
  ( the local economy) to make the vision a
  reality.

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Summary of Outcomes

• Citizens must work together!
• Participation with the Cumberland County
  Technology Leadership Team (TLT)
• Contribution to the development of the community
  website
• Staying involved!