The 4Community project lives on with a second opportunity through the Indiana Association of United Ways.
United Way of Adams County has partnered with the Adams County Economic Development Corporation and the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center to work toward a county-wide strategic plan.
Look soon for a preliminary report.
Mark Settlemyre John Schultz Tammy Velasco Gregg Sprunger Eric Mann Katie Myers Leslie Ross Andy Barrett Brad Kohlhagen Daryl Yost Janet Macklin Barb Engle Dan Kershner Greg Kitson Paul Zurcher Mike Pettibone Wes Kuntzman Keith Muhlenkamp |
Amy Bieberich Amy Orr Rosie Putterbaugh David Bracey Judy Emshwiller Connie Sprunger Anita Miller Pam Barrett Tim Hartigan Andrew Briggs Mike Poulsan Kelly Ehinger Steve Maller Doug Bauman Cathy Egolf Joe Caffee Jeannie Smith |
Sharon Tester Eric Orr Rex Moore Trisha Hockemeyer Vicki Ellis Connie Potter Wylie Sirk Randy Roe Lynn Selking Jim Compton Bill Borne Doug Milligan Barry Ehinger Ronda Cowans Jim Edwards Arlene Kuntzman Steve Bailey Larry Macklin |
4Community Coordinator Wes Kuntzman opened the meeting and recognized the first graduating class of the Adams County Leadership Academy. Andy Barrett and Wes Kuntzman presented pins and certificates to the graduates present:
Joe Caffee Ronda Cowans Greg Kitson Anita Miller Katie Myers |
Connie Potter Leslie Ross Wylie Sirk Connie Sprunger |
Mr. Kuntzman then gave an overview of the 4Community Project to date:
- Kick-off Dinner: Held April 6, 2006 at Adams Central School with 151 in attendance.
- Roundtable One: Held May 18, 2006 at Geneva with 45 in attendance.
- Roundtable Two: Held July 13, 2006 at Adams Memorial Hospital with 52 in attendance.
- Roundtable Three: Held on September 21, 2006 at Swiss Village with 35 in attendance.
Vision
Adams County becomes the model of collaboration and that the citizens respect and retain the individual identities of each community.
Mission
Adams County collaborates within the county, the region, and the state to promote and create a healthy economic setting that enhances the quality of life for all citizens and to attract growth to the area.
The Eight Strategic Imperatives developed by the planning subcommittee were introduced. The subcommittee consisted of: Mike Pettibone, Bill Borne, Kelly Ehinger and Barry Ehinger.
Imperative One: (Education) All Adams County Schools Systems are viewed as excellent.
Ongoing Education is present for all citizens.
Imperative Two: (Economic Development) An infrastructure is present in the county that allows both business and residential growth.
Jobs are attracted to the area that offer a rate of pay comparable to the national wage
Imperative Three: (Economic Development) Resources are pooled to benefit the common growth of the county.
Imperative Four: (Leadership Development) Adams County attracts and trains present and future leaders.
Imperative Five: The physical setting of Adams County is safe, efficient and attractive to the citizens and tourists.
There are expanded recreational facilities within the county.
Imperative Six: (Youth) Youth have social and recreational programs for their choosing.
Imperative Seven: (Healthcare) The community provides access to non-emergency medical care outside normal hours.
Imperative Eight: (Transportation) The community provides needed transportation accessibility for citizens in Adams County.
The group then split into eight working groups to develop goals and an action plan for each of the eight imperatives.
Imperative One: Katie Myers, Connie Sprunger, Kelly Ehinger, Jan Harshman, Coni Mayer, Trisha Hockemeyer, Cathy Egolf, Daryl Yost and Dan Kershner.
Imperative Two: Leslie Ross, Barry Ehinger, Dave Bracey, John Schultz
Imperative Three: Greg Kitson, Doug Milligan, Mark Settlemyre, Steve Bailey, Bill Borne, Lynn Selking, Mike Poulson.
Imperative Four: Joe Caffee, Arlene Kuntzman, Janet Macklin, Gregg Sprunger.
Imperative Five: Connie Potter, Keith Muhlenkamp, Andrew Briggs, Pete Stephenson.
Imperative Six: Anita Miller, Jim Compton, Barb Engle, Tammy Velasco, Mike Pettibone.
Imperative Seven: Wylie Sirk, Larry Macklin, Doug Bauman, Judy Emshwiller, Jeannie Smith, Rex Moore
Imperative Eight: Andy Barrett, Pam Barrett, Steve Maller, Tim Hartigan, Sharon Tester.
The Strategic Plan, Goals and Action Plan are included in the Strategic Plan PowerPoint. The Strategic Plan will be released in January.
Paul Zurcher concluded the evening. His question to the group was: “What is Adams County’s dream? Where do we see this great community ten years from now?”
He stated that there are four elements to success in human endeavor: vision, planning, attitude and leadership. He declared; “we have enormous potential, we have only to dust it off and use it.”
He then issued a challenge to:
Unleash the potential of the community.
Let’s think big and with respect.
Build one united community striving for the best.
Conclusion
There is a strong desire that the gains of the 4Community Project continue after the grant period when the current Partnership will cease.
To that end the following steps are recommended:
- That a 4Community Council be created to follow up and organize discussions and planned activities.
- That the New 4Community Council be a subgroup of the Adams County Economic Development Corporation.
- That Adams County must stay in tune with regional efforts and initiatives.
Timeline
Meet with Economic Development Corporation to discuss bringing a 4Community Council under the Economic Development Corporation (January 2007)
Set partners meeting for approval of Strategic Plan (January 2007)
Schedule a Final Report to the community and a progress update (March 15, 2007)
The current 4Community partnership ceases to function. (March 31, 2007)