A drastically expanded bicycle/walking trail network, a boost for public art and enhanced community amenities—including events, gathering places, parks and downtown beautification—were among the 75 items presented on Tuesday, June 7, 2016, at the Vibrant Communities Summit on the Future in Elkhart County, Indiana.
News of the event’s success was covered by Inside Indiana Business and the Goshen News, amongst other outlets.
Nearly 500 people came out to evaluate and contribute their feedback to the ambitious Draft Action Agenda unveiled at the Summit and to volunteer to become part of its implementation in a series of upcoming workshops. The open house portion of the event was complimented by a presentation in Elkhart’s historic Lerner Theater.
Keynote speaker Jamie Bennett, Executive Director of ArtPlace, set a tone of inspiration and focus on creative quality-of-place initiatives and built momentum toward an exciting announcement for Elkhart County. To conclude the speakers portion of the evening, Pete McCown, president of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, announced the Vibrant Bucks micro-grant program, supported by $50,000 of funding, that will allow individuals, small groups and community arts and cultural organizations, among others, to seek funds in amounts of no more than $1,000 each for fun, creative projects that take place in Elkhart County.
Organizers will continue to receive feedback for the larger initiatives represented in the Action Agenda at www.VibrantElkhartCounty.org in the coming weeks as the initiative’s Steering Committee works to put on the finishing touches.
A series of implementation workshops will also be offered over the next year to assist Elkhart County residents in bringing into reality the ideas presented in the Action Agenda, said Diana Lawson, executive director of the Elkhart County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The Vibrant Communities initiative is co-sponsored by the Community Foundation of Elkhart County and the Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau. The two organizations are dedicated to quality-of-place projects which improve Elkhart County communities and economic interests.
