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Foundation lays out vision for the future of Clarke County Municipal, county and business leaders from across Clarke County gathered at the Grove Hill Methodist Church to talk about past accomplishments and lay out their vision for the future. The event was a breakfast hosted by the Clarke County Community Foundation, which issued its mission statement, which states, "Our vision is to be a model organization for community development that supports economic development activities and establishes Clarke County as a regional leader in providing residents a superior qualtiy of life." Foundation Vice President Terry Raybon laid out the goal of the organization, which includes informing the citizens of the county what is going on in the foundation. She said the foundation has changed its focus with the new direction being to keep Clarke County the wonderful place it already is, to live, while building upon its assets and making the county a good place to raise and educate children. "We believe industry leaders will say this is an important step in locating to our area," she added. "Today we roll out our vision, in order to keep ourselves zeroed in on what it takes to get there. We also are looking for input." Raybon laid out the six goals set forth by foundation members. "We didn't want to dilute our effort by going too broad and setting too many goals," she said. The following objectives were announced: Goal 1 - Secure resources necessary to meet the needs of the foundation. Goal 2 - Develop a comprehensive communications plan. Goal 3 - Enhance the quality of life for all Clarke County citizens. Goal 4 - Support new and existing industry. Goal 5 - Identify and solicit support for infrastructure improvements. Goal 6 - Identify and expand non-traditional economic development opportunities. The plan gives specifics on how these goals are to be accomplished. The next group of speakers discussed projects currently being undertaken by the foundation. Highway 84 Sharon Jones spoke about the push to get U.S. Highway 84 four-laned all across the state. She said part of that goal has been met with the approval of $8.8 million in federal and state funds, requiring a 20 percent match by local governments, to get the portion of the highway from Interstate 65 to Monroeville four-laned. There are 1,700 miles of U.S. 84 in the state and only a portion of it on the east side of the Alabama has been four-laned. The highway has been designated as an east-west corridor and an organization known as the El Camino Commission has been working to get it four-laned from Georgia westward through Texas. Mississippi and Georgia have completed their portions. "We are working with the Department of Transportation on how to progress," said Jones. "We are finally starting to move in the right direction. We appreciate the support we have received so far." She went on to say that work will begin in 2009 for the replacement of the bridge in Coffeeville, which will be built with the intention of the planned widening of the highway. HIPPY program Judy Graham explained the focus to the Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), which focuses on getting parents involved in the education of their children as early as possible. Graham pointed out that 39.7 percent of people in Clarke County do not have a high school diploma. "The challenge is to change the way we deliver some things," she said. "Educators can't do it all. We must start with 3 and 4 year olds. Aparent's involvement has more impact on a child than anything. To get parents involved is the key." HIPPY puts trained parent educators in the home to accomplish this goal. "These are trusted people within the community who take lessons to the parents," said Graham. "This is not an overnight solution. We must first get parents to want to be involved." Wireless communications Danny D'Andrea reported that an effort was underway to provide every residence and business in the county with wireless Internet access. He said the county covers 1,237 square miles and the task can be accomplished at a very reasonable rate. The next step is to do a feasibility study. "Eighty percent of this can be done with grants," he added. A report on the upcoming Maximum Impact Leadership Conference was given by Steve Green and Linda Vice gave a report on tourism. Mayor's reports Reports by the mayors of each municipality within the county were presented. Jackson Jackson Mayor Richard Long reported on the current economic boom taking place in the city as well as other improvements to infrastructure and services. "Jackson is striving to be a quality community," he said. "That didn't just happen. It is something we have had to work toward." He credited the former administration of Mayor Norma Beard for laying the groundwork for what is currently transpiring in Jackson. Some of the things Long mentioned during his comments included the expansion of the water treatment facility, improvements to the William E. Stewart Airport, partnering with the board of education on school improvement projects, beginning construction on a new police complex, expansion of New Era Cap Company, Gulf Lumber's purchase of the Boise sawmill, Walgreens plans to locate in Jackson and the recent announcement of the location of a truck terminal for Evergreen Trucking there as well. Long added that the financial outlook for Jackson is excellent with sales tax figures for 2006 showing a 13 percent increase. Grove Hill Grove Hill City Clerk Michelle Floyd gave the town's report on behalf of Mayor Lamar Hudson who was unable to attend. She reported that improvements have been made to the city's water system and work on the reworking of the sewer system lines was under way as well. Floyd announced plans for a new senior citizens center to be built and that a new wing would be added to the library. She said improvements are also in the plans for the fire department, paving of streets in areas of critical need is being done and landscaping for the town hall is in the works. She said a new park to be located near the Old Democrat Deli is also being considered. Thomasville Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day spoke about a multitude of activities taking place there. "Let me begin by saying that Thomasville is not trying to be better than anybody," he said. "We are just trying to be the best we can be. We should all work together to learn from each other." Day said it would take awhile to talk about all of the things taking place in Thomasville. "I can't even begin to scratch the surface," he said. He talked about the addition of the new South Industrial Park, the city's new medical facility, the recent opening of the LifeTech Center for the training of prisoners for re-entry into society and improvements to the city's school system. Day thanked City Developer Debra Fox for her efforts in developing a plan for the city. "We are now entering the comprehensive plan phase," he said. "There is a lot of retail activity taking place." He estimated the population of Thomasville will have increased to around 5,500 by the next census in 2010. Fulton Fulton Mayor Mike Norris talked about that town's revitalization project. "The new ball field has been a real asset to our town," he said. "The second phase of our sidewalk project has begun as well." He thanked Scotch Lumber Company for all of the help they have given for projects in the town. He said the biggest project currently being undertaken is a city sewer system, which will include a treatment facility. "A total of 62 homes and the school will be hooked up to the new system," said Norris. Coffeeville Mayor Faye Cotten gave a report on progress in Coffeeville. "Getting a linc tower in Coffeeville has been a blessing," she said. "We have two new businesses and have purchased a building, which is being remodeled to be the new town hall." Cotten said part of the old town hall will become the library. She added that a grant has been applied for to refurbish the city's water lines and work is being done to get a public sewer system. County report Commissioner Paul Bradford gave the county's progress report. He spoke about assisting cities with economic development, the securing of grant money for the Louisiana Pacific project, the near completion of the first phase of the road into the industrial park where the plant will be located and the consideration of expanding the industrial park in Grove Hill. Bradford said there is a need to spawn small businesses and give them the opportunity to grow. "Small businesses are the backbone of our communities," he added. "We should encourage them in anyway we can."
Bradford also mentioned the Enterprise Zone incentives recently being taken advantage of by Jackson's city leaders to bring new industry there.
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