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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