Visioning Effingham's Future

Print

Published on October 3 2017 10:34 pm
Last Updated on October 3 2017 10:34 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

A good cross-section of citizens gathered at the local library Tuesday evening to discuss a vision for Effingham's future.

The setting was moderated by Effingham High School teacher Ryan Ervin. The discussion was hoped to include what those present think Effingham WILL look like in 2030, and what Effingham SHOULD look like then.

(HERE'S WHAT LOCAL ARTIST JAMIE STANG ELLIS DEVELOPED FROM WHAT SHE HEARD TUESDAY)

Local artists were a part of the evening, as they used various media to illustrate what they were hearing from those gathered.

As two examples, Jamie Stang Ellis of Stang Arts painted a community with a pathway down the middle. That pathway featured a paint brush leaving a variety of colors blended together to illustrate a collaborative community featuring cultural diversity and inclusiveness.

(LOCAL RESIDENTS OF VARIOUS AGES WERE ON HAND FOR TUESDAY'S EVENT)

There were also comments from those who live in the south part of town that they are not seeing the success being experienced elsewhere in town.

Those present aren't ready to be done with the effort; Ervin said he heard from "a ton of people" who asked "what are we doing next?'

(HERE'S WHAT ILLUSTRATOR CHARLIE HUBER CAME UP WITH FROM HE HEARD TUESDAY)

There will be another gathering either later this fall or early next year to keep the effort rolling.

The Effingham County Chamber of Commerce has already begun an Impact 2030 effort seeking some of the same input. Those overseeing Tuesday's effort hope this effort could parallel the Impact 2030 effort, not compete with it.