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County members urge strategic planning, cite workforce housing shortage and recent regional projects
Summary
Committee members discussed workforce and senior housing needs, referenced a 40-unit Washburn project and a larger Highway 77 development, and recommended starting a strategic planning process focused on housing and economic diversification.
Committee members said workforce and senior housing shortages are constraining economic development and recommended moving forward with a strategic planning process that would tie housing goals to broader economic development objectives.
A board member who attended a Washburn groundbreaking described a 40-unit affordable living complex developed with partners including WIDA, HUD, Extension and a developer referred to as Scenarios Solutions. "It's a 40 unit complex targeting workforce housing and senior living housing," the member said.
Another member pointed to a major local development on Highway 77 described at the meeting as "180 units, I believe it is, or a 120 at the minimum," and said the county should assess what is being built locally and whether it meets affordability needs. "I think it's more of the $200,000 homes," a board member said, noting that affordability is relative and suggesting a county assessment of recent construction.
Members recommended a late-summer start for a strategic planning process that would identify goals and data points to measure progress. The committee discussed asking regular committee reporters to highlight needs and data for the plan. No formal decision or budget commitment was made at the meeting.
