Community leaders unveil ambitious plan for local growth

During a recent government meeting, Betsy Davis, Director of Community Services at the McPherson County Community Foundation, presented findings from the foundation's \"Mastermind\" initiative, aimed at gauging community values and priorities. This year, the initiative saw a significant increase in survey participation, with nearly 1,000 respondents, up from approximately 673 in the previous survey.

Davis highlighted key areas of optimism among residents regarding the local economy, noting a strong sense of personal commitment to community development. However, she pointed out a notable gap in planning efforts, indicating that while residents are active in community projects, there is a lack of clear direction communicated to them.

The survey identified childcare, affordable housing, restaurants, grocery stores, and recreational businesses as the top five needs within the community. These priorities align closely with the community's desire for improved public infrastructure and efforts to remove blight.

Davis also reported a positive trend in youth engagement, with a marked increase in survey responses from individuals under 20, now representing nearly 15% of respondents. Additionally, 318 individuals expressed interest in volunteering, reflecting a strong commitment to community involvement.

The findings are available for public review on the McPherson Foundation's website, and Davis encouraged community members to engage with the report and reach out with questions or comments.