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One Gaston 2040 initiative reports community visioning results and five focus teams' work
Summary
Justin Amos updated commissioners on the One Gaston 2040 visioning initiative, summarizing three years of engagement, a Duke Endowment grant for a healthy-food program, broadband and microtransit planning, housing and workforce coordination, and tools including the Gaston Community Explorer website.
Justin Amos, executive director of intergovernmental affairs for Gaston County, briefed the board on March 11 about progress on the One Gaston 2040 community visioning initiative.
"We engaged 1,700 citizens" through about 70 meetings in a three‑year process, Amos said, and the effort culminated in five focus‑area teams that have been working on targeted projects and partnerships.
Amos summarized the teams’ recent work: One Gaston Cares secured a Duke Endowment grant to fund a five‑year Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas nutrition and physical‑activity program and will stand up a food‑policy council. One Gaston Connects has been coordinating with the county comprehensive transportation plan, exploring microtransit and broadband solutions, and working with Queen’s University (Charlotte) on a community navigator program to extend devices and low‑cost internet primarily to school‑age children and seniors. One Gaston Grows has focused on maximizing housing choices while preserving downtown character across the county’s 13 municipalities. One Gaston Works is exploring workforce partnerships among Gaston College, Belmont Abbey and Gaston County Schools. One Gaston Shines is promoting arts, cultural events and a county events calendar.
Amos noted a new online tool, the Gaston Community Explorer, which aggregates census, health and transportation data and allows users to view county and jurisdiction‑level metrics. He also said the initiative created a toolkit and QR codes to help municipalities integrate the One Gaston goals into local strategic plans.
Ending: Amos asked commissioners to help spread the word about One Gaston activities, including upcoming community events and the initiative’s week of outreach; he offered to provide the county and municipalities with the toolkit and Explorer resources.
