Effingham County MAPPING Program Announces Strategic Vision

Effingham County engaged in the MAPPING The Future of Your Community program through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University throughout the month of April and May to take a proactive approach to planning for community and economic development, thus creating PAVE: Promoting a Vision for Effingham County.

Stakeholders throughout the County, including community members and businesses, met to share ideas, create goals, form action teams, and develop a vision statement for the future of Effingham County.

The collective vision statement is “A transportation hub Located at the 57 and 70 Interstate junction, Effingham County, the “Crossroads of Opportunity”, is composed of fifteen townships that are rich in tradition, faith, entrepreneurial spirit, and philanthropic efforts. In partnership with city governments and educational systems, Effingham County provides a thriving economy that supports a robust workforce, business opportunities, and offers a variety of housing and childcare options for its growing population. With a focus on the family, Effingham County is the leader in parks and recreation offering a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, familyfriendly entertainment, events, and festivals. Be a part of Promoting a Vision for Effingham County!”

The action teams are focused on six specific goals:

1. Workforce & Education

2. Housing Development

3. Transportation Hub

4. Childcare

5. Entertainment/Festivals/Events

6. Parks & Recreation

The action teams have met regularly to address their goals and will share their progress at a 6:00pm Wednesday, June 15 meeting at Koerner Distributor, Inc., 1601 Pike Ave., Effingham, IL.

A public Town Hall Meeting will be scheduled for September with details shared soon on the Effingham County Chamber website – EffinghamCountyChamber.com.

Those wishing to join an action team(s) can fill out the online form - https://effinghamcountychamber.com/pave-promoting-a-vision-for-effingham-county/ - or call Chamber President & CEO Lucinda Hart at (217) 342-4147 or Effingham Regional Growth Alliance President & CEO Mr. Courtney Yockey at (217) 342-4214.