Imagine One 85, a comprehensive planning process for Wabash County, Indiana, has been honored with an Award of Merit from the American Planning Association (APA) County Planning Division of County Planners in the category of Comprehensive Plan, Small Jurisdiction!
After over 40 years of steady population decline, the 421 square mile area in northeast Indiana needed a plan that could change the downward trajectory of the County’s future. That is why, in 2019, County leaders came together and created the first ever County-wide collaboration effort known as Imagine One 85. This unprecedented community comprehensive plan was the foundation the County had needed and waited for, and would act as the catalyst for real, positive, and evident change throughout Wabash County. This plan acts as the first, major step in combating a looming, unwelcome, and fundamental change to the County. Because the County leaders took action, it enabled the communities of Wabash to create a collaborative yet unique playbook to shape the future.
Now, Imagine One 85 is being used as a foundational element for Manchester University and North Manchester as they work to submit an implementation proposal to the Lilly Endowment Inc. as a part of the Endowment’s College and Community Collaboration (CCC) initiative. The CCC initiative seeks to support concepts that are also central to the Imagine One 85 plan, including creating a vibrant place to live, learn, work, and play to retain faculty, staff, students, and residents of the University and the Town, and by extension, the County.
Since the outset of Imagine One 85 in 2019, Counties across the country continue to confide in Planning NEXT and their proven track record of solid County-wide planning practices.
