County works on Comprehensive Plan
Wanda English Burnett
Executive Director of the Ripley County Chamber of Commerce, Brandi Merkel, participated in the event as she strives to help businesses and individuals in the county be the best they can be.
Last week a public informal workshop was held to help with a comprehensive plan for Ripley County. In the first workshop, people were walking around looking at various boards that had been placed there and giving ideas on each topic.
A comprehensive plan is a document to guide local leaders and staff when making decisions about future growth and development. It is a way for the citizens of the county to give input. This plan will assist government leaders in evaluating existing conditions, establish a clear vision and goals for the future, and identify recommendations for how to achieve the vision and goals.
Topics that are of importance as the plan gets underway include land use, agriculture, housing, economic development, quality of life, transportation and infrastructure.
The group began the planning process in April and anticipate it to be a one-year process. You can learn more at envisionripleycounty.com.
Some questions asked were: What challenges are there related to transportation and infrastructure across the county? What projects or policies are needed to enhance transportation and infrastructure? Owen Menchhofer was at the event, and suggested US 50 be a four-lane as it was intended at least 50 years ago. This could possibly benefit businesses who might want to locate here.
What quality of life amenities already exist in Ripley County? What quality of life amenities would you like to see in the future?
There were questions such as what challenges are there to agriculture and what tools or resources could help support local agriculture?
The group looked at Business and Employment, Desirable Land Uses, Enhancement of Community Character, along with Management of Growth.
The format was casual as people mingled. There was no formal presentation. The event was advertised in the local newspaper on the front page and was held at the Courthouse Annex in Versailles on Tuesday, June 10.
