Together Knox will incorporate insights from its leadership and feedback from 1,200 participants in the community during its second Focus on the Future Workshop. This event aims to enhance engagement for a comprehensive plan and is scheduled for October 29 at the Woodward Opera House.
According to a news release by Together Knox, Commissioner Teresa Bemiller said, "The breadth and quality of our first round of community input is unprecedented." She noted that they received over 4,450 treasure statements, 4,109 desired outcomes, and 2,107 place-specific insights in the initial round.
The workshop will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Woodward Opera House located at 107 South Main St., Mount Vernon. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the program commencing at 6 p.m. Interactive displays will be available until the event concludes at 8:30 p.m. Knox County residents are encouraged to attend and contribute.
Community input alongside a technical analysis of conditions and trends will be presented during the workshop. A panel featuring speakers from Small Nation, OneColumbus, and Kenyon College will address topics pertinent to Together Knox. Jamie Green, lead facilitator and principal of Planning NEXT, said they aim to gather additional perspectives on prosperity, quality of place, well-being, and rural dynamics.
The comprehensive plan is described as the primary public policy document that a community develops for its physical assets and future growth. It incorporates feedback from citizens, businesses, and other stakeholders to guide land development regulations, zoning ordinances, budgeting decisions, among other areas. Darrel Severns, Planning Director of the Knox County Regional Planning Commission said county leaders require this work to make informed decisions about their communities' futures.
Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr emphasized that "Focus on the Future is an opportunity to bring together all communities in Knox County to begin developing strategies that will shape the County in the coming years." He added that while there is a countywide focus, special attention will be given to Mount Vernon with specific materials addressing the city on October 29.
