Planning NEXT helped with a comprehensive plan for Clark County and Springfield, Ohio, also referred to as CONNECT Clark County. Many conditions and trends that have impacted the County over the past several decades present significant challenges for the community. The City of Springfield and Clark County have both seen a loss in population, especially in young people. The community has also experienced a decline in key industries, as well as household incomes. The County’s previous plan was completed almost 20 years ago, and the lack of coordination and cooperation between jurisdictions has been a challenge for decades. Increasingly, community leaders were growing concerned about the deterioration of the community’s physical environment as well as significant economic challenges.