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MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMP PLAN PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DATA May 31, 2018

RE: WORKSHOP #1 RAW DATA COLLECTED TABLETOP EXERCISE: LIKES AND DISLIKES

LIKES

Natural Resources/Parks

• Sugar Creek x43

• Parks x11

• Beautiful creeks and landscape x8

• Golf courses

• Shades State Park x22

• Clements Canoe x2

• Trail system x5

• Waynetown Pool

• Crawfordsville Pool

• Milligan Park x2

• Spread of walking/biking trails through the community

• Natural resources (clean landscape) x4

• Lake Waveland x5

• Lake Holiday x4

• Rails to trails x4

• Wildlife x6

• Turkey Run State Park x5

• Clean air/water x3

• Recreation

• Good hunting and fishing x3

• Canoeing and hiking x2

• Swimming pool park

• Parks and rec for senior citizens

• Connection of new Sugar Creek Trail

• Deer’s mill

• Outdoor

• Sugar creek trail x3

• New Richmond Park

• Lots of trees

• Crawfordsville Municipal Golf Course

• Grow Commerce Park area

DRAFT

• Healthy habitat

• Nature park at official west

• Wooded areas x2

• Many types of birds

• Nature

• Linden park/rec areas

• Pine hills x2

• Clear skies

• Topography – nice mix of arable land and forests Agriculture

• Farming x16

• Agricultural based community x12

• Preservation of farmland

• Leading soybean and corn production x2

• Agribusiness development Rural

• Rural community/landscape x17

• My quiet rural residence

• Our country life Government Accountability

• That I don’t have to beg a plan commission to build

• Commissioners are progressing (comp plan is great, need zoning)

• County officials – very personable and genuinely care

• The fact that people of Montgomery County have the power to remove from office the elected county government that refuse to honor personal property rights

Wind Farm

• No wind turbines x11

• My house that sits out in the country that is quiet with no wind turbines Public Safety/Health

• Franciscan Hospital

• Safety services and those who serve x4

• Low crime rate x13

• Wellness clinic

• Safe/secure x6

• Access to health care

• Public services x3

DRAFT

• Good fire departments x3

• State of the art hospital

• Good law enforcement

• Police force

• Good affordable healthcare

• Sheriff’s department x2

• Our new ER/Medical treatment options

• Public safety

• Fire protection Education

• 3 great school corporations x5

• Libraries x11

• Great schools x34

• North Montgomery Schools

• Crawfordsville Public Library x3

• North Montgomery School Corporation x2

• Linden library x2

• Journal review of radio stations

• Ivy Tech x3

• Encouragement of sports/robotics

• Small schools x2

• Darlington Library Arts and Culture

• Carnegie Museum x4

• Lew Wallace Study x8

• Athens Arts gallery x2

• Green Street Gallery

• Art gallery x2

• Vanity Theatre

• Historical locations x5

• Cultural offerings (theater, museums, arts) x7

• Ironman x3

• History x4

• National Motocross

• Historic community and a sense that most want to keep this asset

• Ben Hur Speedway x2

• Camp Rotary

• Ben Hur Building

• Old Culver Union Hospital

DRAFT

• Lane Place x4

• Linden Rail Road Museum

• Rotary jail

• Downtown historic buildings Land Use

• That the county is implementing a comprehensive plan

• Freedom to make our own plans without having to get approval

• Freedom compared to places with zoning

• Currently have a good mix of rural and urban

• My property is my property at least for now

• Zoning x2

• No zoning x11

• Planning with no zoning x2

• Using my property as I now see fit

• Land/property rights x3

• Ability to leave family property to our children and future generations

• Central main town surrounded by farm

• Freedom to do as I wish with my own property x2

• You can still farm and have animals

• Visionary plan

• No planning Housing

• Rural family housing

• Reasonable housing

• Affordable housing or good range of housing x3

• Nice mix of residential and rural properties Economic Development

• Local businesses x7

• Tipmont’s solar investments x2

• Tom’s Marine

• Movie theater x2

• Bowling alley

• Overall work ethic

• Joshua Cup

• Second City Café

• Maxine’s on Green

• Farmer’s market x5

• Exercise facility – options are adequate

DRAFT

• Spread of new chains of business: Starbucks, Meijer

• Nucor corridor x3

• Employment opportunities x3

• Existing companies in county willing to help community

• Small business x5

• Industry along Nucor Rd.

• Manufacturing is close to Crawfordsville and hiring like crazy

• Nice mix of city business

• Country club x2

• Progressives wanting growth of industry x2

• Family owned businesses

• Archery shops

• Diverse economy

• Backstep x3

• Variety of factories x2

• Tom’s Marine

• Beginning to see more events at Shaner location

• Yountsville Mill

• Sportsman’s club

• Lots of restaurants x2

• Shopping

• Vanity theater x2

• Efforts in economic development

• Ability to grow a business

• Community effort to improve workforce

• Numerous marketing opportunities for grain producers

• Businesses like home depot, Applebee’s, Big R, and Kroger that have seen opportunity here Infrastructure

• Access to I-74

• Lack of traffic x4

• Reasonable utilities

• Good roads x5

• Ease of traveling to most places

• I-74/interstates x5

• Recycling x3

• Great airport for a town of this size x2

• Crawfordsville airport x2

• Road access to other areas

• Clock tower x2

• Darlington Covered Bridge

DRAFT

• Through the gate

• Covered bridges x3

• Solar power Quality of Life

• Proximity to other services within one-hour x2

• Low taxes x8

• Slower pace x3

• Quiet x12

• Lots of potential

• Attempts to make downtown appealing – lunch on the plaza, first Fridays, etc. x8

• Well maintained neighborhoods

• Quality of life/place x2

• Privacy

• City of Crawfordsville/Downtown x8

• Cost of living x8

• Legacy pass downtown

• No huge changes

• Proximity to Indianapolis x12

• Proximity to Lafayette x9

• Future growth x3

• Town festivals

• Stellar Projects x2

• Proximity to Chicago x3

• Proximity to Louisville

• Specifics

• Small scale

• Crawfordsville Main Street has made some impressive changes and this needs to continue

• No large city

• Strawberry festival x4

• Being able to walk around town

• Authentic urbanism

• College sports

• Low light and noise pollution

• Country life, nothing obstructing my view

• Peaceful living x6

• Small towns in the county x3

• Courthouse renovations

• Varied activities

• Close to big cities so don’t need to be one

• Small population

DRAFT

• Geographic location – fair climate, few natural disasters

Community/Social

• Close-knit community x5

• Living here my entire life and raising our children in a small community x2

• Smart people

• Progressive

• 4-H community x4

• Small town feel x27

• People x5

• Willingness of neighbor to help neighbor x4

• Animal Welfare League

• Montgomery County Community Foundation x2

• Friendly x6

• Patriotism is high

• Montgomery County is fine the way it is

• Individual freedom

• Everything is fine the way it is

• Intimacy

• Charitable attitude of citizens

• Sense of community x2

• Strong family values x3

• Community involvement and fundraising x2

• Churches x7

• GOP dominated

• The average “Joe” is a good guy

• Strong community organizations x2

• Public meetings

• Community pride

• Kinship to neighbors and other county residents

• Good community to raise a family

• Individuals have the opportunity to influence issues x2

• Home

• There’s a group of people who want to leave things better than they left it

• Programs, camps, workshops for ids to be involved in

• Active drainage board

• Very involved local nonprofit organizations making a difference

• Good citizen base

• Traditional values

• Positive attitude of young people here

• I have a plan on how to improve my families well being

DRAFT

• We have a constitutional republic where individual rights are protected

• Conservative politics

• That we all generally get along

• Overall good moral values

DISLIKES Natural Resources/Parks

• Tearing out trees x3

• Lake Holiday is a good example of development without a plan

• Promote sugar creek

• Crawfordsville commerce park x4

• More outdoor recreation areas

• More trail systems

• Lack of woods compared to ten years ago

• Lack of parks

• MX/ATV trail open to the public

• Lack of trees Agriculture

• High density livestock operations

• Contaminant livestock farming x2 Government Accountability

• The idea that our elected county government continues to grow increasing adding more social programs

• The cost of taxes to pay for what elected county government says we must have to plan for the future

• The fact that local elected county government refuses to make the hard choices to protect personal property rights instead wants more control to increase taxes providing revenue

• Government overreach

• Township government should be eliminated

• Lack of transparency in local government

• Divisiveness in local government

• Outsiders trying to run the county

• The cost of this planning project

• County commissioners who do not listen to the will of the people x3

• Local governments acting independent of the stated majority on their definition of “progress”

• Politicians that ignore what people want

• Leaders who seem to want to diminish our freedoms

DRAFT

• Folks making decisions that are poor decisions that affect so many

• Rail road politics

• Desire by elected officials to push unwanted development

• Outside interest in future of county

• County commissioners who let the trojan horse of wind companies in the door

• Poor government leadership Wind Farm

• Potential wind farms x35

• The wind mills are a good example of what happens when there are no rules in place

• People who want wind turbines

• Property value decreasing with wind

• People already feeling the need to move in case of wind turbines

• That we are not being listened to as far as turbine set-backs and decimal levels Public Safety/Health

• Low confidence healthcare

• Drugs x29

• No maternity ward x5

• Crime

• Need more safety methods for all schools

• Laziness and drugs in youth

• Antiquated views of public health

• Small towns need more police resources

• Decline in health practices in rural communities – unhealthy lifestyles in rural Montgomery County

• Lack of community centers to promote healthy lifestyle

• Need for younger and increased participation in volunteer fire/safety services

• Cannot believe the hospital has become a band aid station

• No plan to help drug users x2

• Emergency health care

• As a nurse, my employment is limited in the community as it is a limited access hospital

• No public health implementations or spread of morbidity prevention. Would like to see public health brought to downtown in a fun and informative way

• We have a name for drugs but nothing is being done

• Lack of mental health support centers

• St. Elizabeth hospital (very expensive, not streamlined)

• Expense and poor-quality of care at Franciscan Health Hospital

• Tobacco use

• Obesity

DRAFT

Education

• Three school districts

• Consolidated schools x2

• Update/consolidate Crawfordsville elementary schools

• Lack of shop classes in schools

• Should consolidate school corporation not schools

• School curriculum

• More affordable higher education options

• Push for youth to pursue academics in higher education not enough emphasis on trades

• Tax payer support for Ivy Tech

• Lack of awareness of resources the public can use

• Schools

• Pedestrian aware drivers Arts and Culture

• Fairgrounds x4

• Lack of ethnic/cultural diversity x3

• Do something with Ben Hur building Land Use

• Possibility of zoning x10

• Planning with zoning x10

• The idea that our county government has decided to push planning and zoning on the people through this comprehensive plan

• The laws or rules governing land use. If I wanted to invest in a company to build a commercial business there is no rules to what can be built beside the property outside the two-mile zoning area in Crawfordsville

• Need more modern type buildings and houses. We don’t need pole buildings like dollar general especially in Crawfordsville.

• Small but outspoken group of people who have held the county hostage with myths of planning and zoning

• Lack of planning has cost the community economic development opportunities

• Future development without a plan will make this county a mess we are too close to Indianapolis and Lafayette to be without a plan

• Lack of planning to date

• Lack of zoning x5

• Dislike being told some group can/will plan my future better

• Comprehensive plan that leads to zoning x3

• I hope it doesn’t come to that you’re unable to do what you want on your land

• Threatened with zoning x2

• Lack of property value x2

DRAFT

• Unorganized sprawl

• 2-mile jurisdiction

• Lack of vision

• Lack of comprehensive plan

• Unrestricted junk yard

• The assumption that a plan is needed (we got this far without one)

• A planning meeting that reduces public comment to pre-conceived exercises that limit public outcry

• That we are not spending this planning money on infrastructure x2

• This “planning” meeting

• Wasting money on all this “planning” activity

• Excessive land seemingly unattended that could be used for well-planned development

• Random building

• County needs to be more progressive (planning and zoning are needed) x2 Housing

• Need more housing

• Far too many homes marginally maintained, visitors or first-timers likely perceive it as becoming a third-world area

• Shortage of housing is a problem but housing without a plan will be more costly

• Lack of good quality housing x6

• Empty homes/distressed housing x2

• Too much subsidized housing x2

• Lack of affordable housing for seniors

• Lack of upscale homes

• Tolerance of unkept homes

• Not enough transitional housing

• Affordable housing

• Limited housing for young people x2

• Downtown 231 residential needs TLC

• Condemned/foreclosed homes Economic Development

• Lack of shopping x17

• Low wage job market x2

• Power plant

• Would like to see more development along 231 between Crawfordsville and Lafayette x2

• Lack of amenities on North 231 and I-74 part of county x2

• Loss of vibrant small-town environment/businesses x2

• Lack of job opportunities for local graduates who get college degrees x3

• Public attitude towards economic development

DRAFT

• Lack of restaurants x16

• Lack of economic growth around the 74-231 corridor

• Lack of high paying jobs x5

• Lack of employment opportunities

• Need more growth at 231 and 34

• Low local at power plant

• ERA designation

• Lack of economic growth

• Walmart x2

• Lack of living wage jobs

• Not enough industrial base

• Commercialize east and west side x2

• Not enough good entity establishments

• So many are opposed to development, they want everything to stay the same

• High unemployment

• Lack of high level retail

• Business park is not filled

• Lack of development at North end of town

• Young professionals leave and don’t come back x2

• Loss of small town business

• Could use a few more chain restaurants

• Not enough name brand clothing shopping available

• Not enough industry growth

• Lack of workforce x3

• Not giving the same benefits to small business that larger industries receive – tax abatements x2

• Less large manufacturing

• Shrinking manufacturing base

• Limited products

• Too many chain pizza places

• Downtown cafes/coffee shops not open in evenings

• Willingness of large non-profits paying taxes (Wabash, Franciscan)

• Empty commercial buildings

• Need a drive-in movie theater

• Our county has not moved forward with upcoming industry and business Infrastructure

• Roads x16

• Lack of rural broadband access

• Two-lane US 231 x3

• No direct access from SR 47 to US 231 on the north side of Crawfordsville

• The road from north of New Richmond to Linden at Cargil needs work and bridge replacement

DRAFT

• 970 North from 700 West to Wingate new black top

• 700 West, North of 970 North black top

• Flooding on New Ross Road North of SR 32

• Bypass on Eastside of Crawfordsville

• Better snow cleaning

• Crawfordsville east to west

• Seems like American cities water company in Crawfordsville can be slow and difficult to work with when expanding water lines to help with growth.

• Heavy semi traffic on local roads x6

• No easy access to parking in town center of Crawfordsville

• Lack of coordination when doing repairs (between state/county)

• Lack of connectivity/cellphones/internet x3

• Memorial drive/ 231 connection

• Rail crossings stopping traffic x7

• Courthouse parking lot

• Silly looking clock tower

• Gap in sidewalks (some areas don’t have sidewalks) x2

• Sidewalks lack uniformity

• Infrastructure

• Not knowing when new US 231 will affect our county

• New bridge over Market St. RR Crossing

• Prospect of legacy bridge

• Having to pay for my neighbor’s drainage

• Washington street traffic is too fast and very difficult to park along the street

• Lack of interchanges on I-74

• Lack of a loop around Crawfordsville

• No infrastructure to bring progress here

• No interchange

• Roads need help (not from IWTs)

• 231 is dangerous

• CSX deteriorating/blocking railways x2

• Poor upkeep in some areas of city: weeds, cracked sidewalks

• Lack of street infrastructure x2

Quality of Life

• Taxes too high property x2

• Tax increase

• Shoddy looking downtown

• Empty buildings in downtown x9

• Minimal public entertainment facilities x4

• Noise

DRAFT

• Lack of hip entertainment venues to keep young people here x6

• Lack of opportunities x2

• Small towns seem to be dying x7

• Average tax payer is not heard

• Lack of daycare options x2

• Nightlife

• Trash on the roads

• Often need to go to Indy or Lafayette for something

• Progression of deteriorating small communities, focus only on development around the city

• No appeal when coming into Montgomery county

• Lack of public transportation

• Average income (too low)

• Push to turn us into Brownsburg, Avon, Plainfield, etc.

• Too many people incarcerated x3

• How ground was reclassified without public input

• Not enough entertainment for children x3

• Visual approaches to the county

• Blight in smaller towns

• It will never be a big city, we don’t want to live in a rat maze

• City people don’t understand what country people like

• Quality of life – culture

• Not growing (if that is bad)

• Professionals who work in the community but don’t live here x2

• Tax burden

• Need more festivals

• Its boring for children growing up here

• Need to ask young people what they want

• Focus on the generation that is going to grow up here not older people

• Too many handouts Community/Social

• Courthouse security

• Infringing on my rights

• Conservative politics

• Assuming that majority rule (democracy) will rule my possessions (farm ground)

• Not mob rule

• Narrowmindedness

• Still living in the 1950’s

• “nothing to do”

• Small town mentalities

• Lack of young people (20-30) x4

DRAFT

• Lack of things for young people to do

• Lack of community pride

• Poverty rates in Crawfordsville and surrounding areas x4

• People not wanting change

• Need more forward-thinking acceptance of diversity

• Not as many possibilities for women to serve the community

• Becoming a divided community (zoning, windmills) x2

• Tea party negative attitudes

• Society is making us less “neighborly”

• Attitude that local is best even when outsiders can do things better sometimes

• The question “how long have you lived in Montgomery County?

• Lack of youthful energy

• More community-oriented outings

• Would like to see more done with the human society – most people I speak with are not involved

• Difficult for non-natives to feel welcome

• Resistance to change BOARD EXERCISES

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO DESCRIBE MONTGOMERY COUNTY 20 YEARS FROM NOW? Natural Resources/Parks

• A great place for natural resources

• Beautiful serene

• A great place to star gaze

• Enjoying our open /expansive landscape not moved by industrial waste

• Sugar Creek and state parks are preserved and a destination Agriculture

• Strong agriculture area x2

• Farm community Rural

• Rural x7 Government Accountability

DRAFT

• Government leaders that listen to current needs and wants

• Elected local government does its job, support personal property rights Wind Farm

• No wind farm x20

• They kept wind farms out

• Ran wind farms out of the county Public Safety/Health

• Safe x8

• Crime free

• Clean x2

• Drug use and dependency down Education

• Good schools x3

• No brain drain Land Use

• They had a plan

• Visionary

• A place where personal property rights still exist

• Planning community

• No zoning Housing

• New quality homes

• Successful transitional housing for those in recovery Economic Development

• Nice variety of restaurants

• More shopping

• Business community

• Trained workforce for both large and small businesses

• Various opportunities for job growth

• Good paying jobs for young families

• No vacant small-town businesses (Wingate, Waynetown, Linden, New Richmond, Hillsborough)

• Thriving production of specialty

• Alternative crops

• World class

• A place of economic opportunity

DRAFT

Infrastructure

• Adequate transportation for elderly and underprivileged Quality of Life

• Resourceful

• A community that feels like a small town but is progressive in healthcare, education, and maintaining more balanced housing options

• Like Noblesville is today

• An attractive small city that provides a comfortable alternative to big cities (Indy, Lafayette, Fort Wayne, Evansville)

• Good place to raise a family x6

• Small but thriving x2

• Successful x3

• A safe, forward moving community that appeals to all ages as a great place to grow up, raise children, retire, and live in your 20s

• A forward-thinking community that continues to grow and thrive

• The rural industrial county that lowered property taxes

• Finally, out of the 1950s

• Forward-thinking

• More entertainment to keep people here

• Growing community

• Quiet x5

• Peaceful x3

• Small town

• Beautiful

• Nice looking town

• This asset is becoming priceless

• Growing but still intimate

• Low property taxes Community/Social

• Just like it is now

• Community-driven

• Proud

• A great piece of history – upgraded for family use

• A welcoming place for all x2

• Friendly community x5

• They sure knew how to take care for one another and did a fine job raising the next generation

• Community center in each small town

• Charming

DRAFT

• Progressive x4

• Embraces new people and new business opportunities

• A place my kids want to come back to

• A place to have family fun on the weekend

WHAT ARE THE KEY ISSUES MONTGOMERY COUNTY IS FACING TODAY? Natural Resources/Parks

• Coal creek Agriculture

• People not embracing what we have and making it better (agriculture and farming) Government Accountability

• Divisiveness of local government

• Elected local government is not protecting personal property rights of the people

• Elected city officials dictating what the county does beyond the 2-mile limit. This is a rural community if we wanted city control we would live in Crawfordsville

• Leaders need to get educated about issues like wind turbines

• Elected city officials running the county

• Overreaching small government officials

• Commissioners who don’t care what a majority of the citizens want Wind Farm

• Prospect of industrial wind turbines x20

• No wind farms x10

• Wind farms encroaching on our rural landscapes and property rights x2

• If the county allows a neighbor to make money by using my property for his windmill set back what percent of money do I get?

• Wind machines

• Only land owners want wind not the majority of residents

• Arrogance of people who think “no wind farm” know nothing

• Wind turbines will decimate this county little reason to plan if they go in

• Wind farms mean a tax break for few and most don’t want

• Wind farms using my property for their set-back Public Safety/Health

• Shortage of adults volunteering for public service (fire, ems, etc.)

• Drug issues x31

• Food insecurity

• Lack of mental health care

DRAFT

• Lack of prenatal care

• Health and safety from allowing wind energy companies control of turbine placement without county representation

• Lack of not enough transitional resources

• Poor health of rural communities

• Alcohol abuse Education

• Graduation rate

• Retaining youth after graduation x2

• Departure of graduates specifically those who go to college Land Use

• Zoning x7

• Lack of understanding of what wind farms, zoning, and progression of establishments entering the community. People are poorly educated about public matters

• No zoning – we have enough regulations now

• Division of vison

• Moving forward with comprehensive plan

• Need planning

• Where is the landfill going to be that is mandated? Housing

• Lack of senior long-term living facilities

• Too much HUD housing

• Housing Economic Development

• Low wage job market x3

• Work ethic

• Lack of business and opportunities for young grads x2

• Jobs x4

• Young people who have industrial shop training from high school

• Low unemployment

• Lack of qualified work force

• Lack of childcare options

• Access to capital

• Higher operating cost

• Resistance to growth of the economy

• Keeping young work force with high wages x2

DRAFT

• Lack of affordable secondary education job trades training

• Wages

• Lack of economic momentum

• Shrinking manufacturing base

• Lack of opportunity

• Workforce development

• Not many jobs that can sustain families Infrastructure

• Lack of infrastructure in developing areas (Nucor)

• County road maintenance

• Internet cell connectivity x3

• County utilities Quality of Life

• We are losing the younger generation because there are not a lot of options for them to do so they tend to move away to a better community

• Defining needs of rural vs. urban people

• Keep our country free choice

• Losing residents Community/Social

• Not enough after school and summer programs for at risk youth

• Narrowmindedness

• Keeping young families in the community

WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LIVE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY? Natural Resources/Parks

• Natural beauty x4

• Sugar creek x5

• Lots of parks and wildlife x2

• No flashing lights

• Outdoor recreation opportunities

• Shades state park x2

• Lack of outside interests

• Wildlife

• Nature

• Green

• Great evening views

DRAFT

• Able to sit out and hear the birds in the evening and morning sunrises

• Plentiful outdoor activities

• Pristine land and water management Agriculture

• Farm family x2

• As agriculturalist, we appreciate/love and respect our land

• Farming community

• Agriculture business x2

• Family farm opportunities Rural

• Rural areas/feel x6 Government Accountability Wind Farm

• No wind farm x17

• Potential wind farms in southwest part of the county only Public Safety/Health

• Low crime x4

• Safe x7 Education

• Schools x6

• Wabash college x2 Arts and Culture

• History Land Use

• Ability to own land and participate in community

• No zoning x6

• Low density

• To live in a county that protects personal property rights Housing

• Low cost housing x2

• Reasonable housing Economic Development

DRAFT

• Work Infrastructure

• No heavy traffic

• Access to I-74 Quality of Life

• Quiet x8

• Peaceful x3

• Close to Indy and Lafayette

• Small communities x3

• No large city problems, traffic, crime, larger population x3

• We are here because we want a small community. Leave us alone

• Small town feel x14

• Great festivals

• Low taxes

• Current cost of living x3

• Boring – nothing to do

• No big city x2

• Pure

• Wonderful place to have a slower life

• Easy living

• Fair taxes

• Location x3

• Located close to areas beyond what this community provides

• Serenity

• Quiet nights

• Combination of country life and reasonable commute to Indy and Lafayette

• Quality of life

• Close enough to get what you want/need

• Supportive of community members

• Work together

• Friendly community Community/Social

• Because of property familial ownership for six generations

• Nice people x4

• Family x9

• Lifer and proud of it

• Forward-thinking while not trading our personal values

• Good place to raise a family x2

DRAFT

• Grow up here x2

• Friends x2

• Wonderful place to raise kids x2

• Community values

• Sense of community

• Great neighbors

• Country living freedom

• Wholesome values

• Choose to live here not in cities

• People are polite and helpful

• Close community with many families who have been here through many generations

• Welfare cases

WHAT KEEPS PEOPLE FROM CHOOSING TO LIVE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY? Rural

• Rural environment – not everyone likes small town, country living x2 Government Accountability

• Threat of over-reaching local government as it pertains to their own property

• Bad politics

• Current decision makers are poor at the job Wind Farm

• Threat of wind farms x24 Public Safety/Health

• Healthcare

• Too much drugs x6

• Crime x3

• Have to go to Lafayette or Indy to do anything – have babies Land Use

• Threat of zoning x2

• No comprehensive plan or zoning

• Lack of planning and zoning Housing

• Lack of quality housing x10

• Too much HUD housing

• Lack of market rate apartments

DRAFT

Economic Development

• Lack of good jobs x5

• Lack of quality business x2

• Job opportunities (nightlife, etc.) for young adults x3

• Lack of retail options x5

• Lack of restaurants x4

• No white collar/high paying jobs x6

• Opportunities x2

• Lack of groceries

• Low wages

• Jobs in other locations

• Lack of unique non-chain restaurants or stores

• Very few upward moving jobs Infrastructure

• Poor infrastructure

• Roads

• Poor connectivity

• Gravel roads

• Transportation Quality of Life

• They crave convenient access to stores, restaurants, and entertainment other the personal dynamic of a small rural community

• Unknown gem in the state

• Lack of entertainment x2

• High taxes

• Lack of services

• Attractive city

• Most move away for spouse or job opportunity

• Most move away for something more but then a lot come back realizing how wonderful it is here

• If we wanted a big city we would already be there Community/Social

• They do not recognize a good thing

• Narrowmindedness

• Nothing to do

• Good place to grow up

• Public image as backward country town

DRAFT

• Lack of progressive attitudes

• Youth entertainment

WHAT IS MONTGOMERY COUNTY MISSING? Natural Resources/Parks

• Recreational options

• More public nature preserves and parks Agriculture

• Stay number one in agriculture Government Accountability

• County government including/informing residents of their plans

• Straight talking leaders

• Elected local government that respects personal property rights

• Commissioners willing to do research

• Leadership that actually listens to its citizens x2

• Commissioners and council that use referendums

• People in charge with good vision Wind Farm

• No wind farms Public Safety/Health

• Freedom from drug users

• Lack of resources and transitional programs for those in recovery

• A place to have babies

• Crime

• Alcohol/drug treatment program/facility

Education

• Schools back in towns x2

• Retain youth after graduation

• Waveland elementary Arts and Culture

• Ethnic diversity Land Use

• Vision for the future

DRAFT

• A noted plan with infrastructure in proper areas. Expand and leave the rural community in farm ground. Zone only when needed

• Comprehensive plan for development

• Future planning Housing

• Residential building locations

• Middle class housing

• Quality housing not HUD Economic Development

• Employment opportunities for young professionals/college grads x6

• More restaurants x11

• Texas Road House

• Shopping areas x5

• High paying jobs

• Entertainment venues

• Industrial base

• Must attract more businesses

• Diversity for retail options x2

• Good paying jobs x3

• Nurture small business – hello commerce park

• More businesses x2

• More job opportunities x3

• Manufacturing/business

• Aldi grocery store

• Small town development

• Public support to finish our airport development

• Childcare options

• Developing economy

• Small town business locally owned

• Job training

• Investors in the future

• Sober – drug free people to work in businesses that we have Infrastructure

• Four lanes on 231 x2

• Better roads x3

• Infrastructure

• County utilities sewage and water

• Paved roads x3

DRAFT

• Traffic volume Quality of Life

• Keep the rural, country life style small town living

• Places for millennials

• Nightlife

• Financial support and actively participate in our small communities Community/Social.

• Nothing x2

• Forward-thinking people

• Community activities

• Lack of after school and summer activities for at risk children

• More strong families intact

• Family attraction

• Young families

• More activities

• Stuff for kids

WHAT AREAS SHOULD BE PRESERVERED OR PROTECTED? Natural Resources/Parks

• Hunting

• Fishing

• All wildlife x4

• Sugar creek x27

• Shades state park x11

• All recreation areas

• Parks x2

• Day/night skyline x2

• Trees x2

• Local golf courses

• Riparian areas

• Natural resources x3

• Clean water

• Creeks

• Lakes

• Soil conservation x2

• Water resources x2

• Wooded areas while also promoting growth

• Beauty x2

DRAFT

• Lake Waveland

• Walking trails

• Non-industrial litter

• Starry skies free from light pollution x2

• Stop tearing out trees for more farms Agriculture

• Agriculture x4

• Farmland x20 Rural

• Rural landscapes/life x8 Government Accountability

• Local township control Wind Farm

• No wind turbines x24

• Windfarms will stop all rural development opportunities

• Windmills make money by using my property for their set-backs Public Safety/Health

• Health and welfare Education

• Libraries and museums

• Protect our children’s welfare with good schools

• Wabash College Arts and Culture

• Preserve historic downtown x3

• Arts

• Lew Wallace study x2

• Cultural facilities

• Museums x2

• Historic landmarks x3

• Rotary jail

• Carnegie museum

• Lane place

• Linden Railroad Museum

• Ben Hur building x2

DRAFT

Land Use

• Property rights x6

• Renewable energy Economic Development

• Turnipseed corner

• Businesses

• Tom’s Marine

• The number one business in the county

• Sports man’s club Infrastructure

• Airport

• Repave roads around Shades state park

• Railway Quality of Life

• Peace

• Quiet

• Small communities/small town values x2

• Township and Wingate area

• Coal Creek township

• Waynetown

• Wingate

• Hillsborough Community/Social

• Animal welfare league

• All

• Country lifestyle

• Children

• Families

• Population

DRAFT