We are excited! Wayne Onward, a comprehensive plan update for Wayne County, received a Small Town and Rural (STaR) of APA Planning Award for a Comprehensive Plan/Special Project Large Jurisdiction. STaR is a collaborative group of town and citizen planners, and allied professional groups dedicated to the physical, social and economic diversity in non-metropolitan areas. The award recognizes outstanding projects, programs, plans and peoples that are working to make the future of small communities brighter.
Wayne Onward was a process that recognized the challenges to Wayne County, but also engaged a broad range of stakeholders and community members in an open and honest manner. With continuous support from the community – County Commissioners, Township Trustees, County Staff, stakeholders, the Steering Committee and the Amish community, Planning NEXT facilitated a process that combined thoughtful, technical research with the intuition of those who cared about the future.
The final plan’s impact derives from its ability to guide professional planners in specific implementation measures. These measures can influence development character and land use, as well as provide numerous projects, policies and programs in a compelling way for many other agencies, departments, organizations and individuals to pursue collaboratively.
