Development meeting planned at Lincolnville
Staff reporter
A public meeting about ways communities can become more successful will be presented at 7 p.m. July 11 at Lincolnville Community Center.
According to Marion County Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman, HomeTown Competitiveness (HTC) is a program that encourages communities to take immediate action in mobilizing local leaders, capturing wealth transfer, energizing entrepreneurship, and attracting young people.
"This programming is working very well in Nebraska," Huffman said.
Beginning in Valley County, Nebraska, the county that first partnered with HTC had a strategic plan with 26 diverse priorities with its focus on industrial development.
Currently Valley County has prioritized business succession and growing local entrepreneurs as its two key strategies for economic transformation.
Establishing a community or countywide endowment fund keeps communities moving forward.
"Hillsboro is ahead of the game," Huffman said, with an established community fund.
Funds could be collected by contacting alumni and asking them to invest money in an endowment fund to be used for community development.
"It's important to bring young people back home," Huffman said.
Flint Hills Resource, Conservation, and Development District, of which Marion County is a member, will host the meeting.
For more information, contact Huffman at (620) 382-8830, or visit www.heartlandcenter.info/htc.htm.
Two or three leaders from each community and county are encouraged to attend the meeting. There is no charge and the meeting is anticipated to be about 90 minutes.
