The High Plains Initiative
A Joint Effort of Platte and Goshen Counties
http://www.buildingwyoming.org/highplains/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2010
TORRINGTON – The High Plains Initiative is asking local residents to share their views on the future growth and development of Platte and Goshen counties through a telephone study.
The High Plains Initiative is a local effort to explore growth-related issues and to think together about the future of Platte and Goshen counties. One of the first steps in the process is research to determine what residents value and want to preserve for future generations. A steering committee of local elected officials and community leaders is leading the initiative.
The recruitment process for participants is currently taking place. Phone calls are being made to randomly selected individuals from Platte and Goshen Counties to find those willing and able to participate in the study, which is now slated to run on June 10, 2010. Please contact Mary Hogarty at 307-286-2622 or mary@buildingwyoming.org if you have been recruited and need additional information or have any questions about this survey. This discussion is first in a series of telephone surveys, meeting and other opportunities for local residents to share their thoughts, concerns and priorities.
“This survey plays a key role in our discussion of what we want this region to look like in the future,” said Julie Kilty, Co-Chair of the High Plains Initiative Steering Committee. “What we value most in living in this region helps develop our priorities and those priorities guide our decisions and determine what the quality of life will be like for future generations.”
Cindy Witt, Co-Chair of the High Plains Initiative Steering Committee, says the region is facing potential influx of growth from wind energy development and the pending oil play in the region. “The timing is right for us, as a region, to work together to create a common dream for the future. We need broad-based representation for this study to ensure that we consider a wide range of views.”
Building the Wyoming We Want, a sponsor of the High Plains Initiative, is working with Heart+Mind Strategies, an independent third-party partner, to conduct this research in Platte and Goshen counties as a follow up to a statewide study completed last year. Building the Wyoming We Want’s Priorities and Values Study indicated that Wyoming residents place the greatest priority on access to the great outdoors, their small, friendly communities and protecting our land and water.
ABOUT THE HIGH PLAINS INITIATIVE
Under the leadership of local economic development leaders, Platte and Goshen counties requested to become the first demonstration project for Building the Wyoming We Want in March 2010. Sponsoring organizations are the Platte County Economic Development Corp., the Goshen County Economic Development Corp. and the High Plains Economic Development District. The High Plains Initiative process will focus on four broad goals: to engage citizens and stakeholders in activities that explore growth issues and choices; to develop a range of scenarios based on public preferences; to explore consequences and implementation options for each scenario; and to create a vision and a strategy for Platte and Goshen counties based on the values of the residents. A steering committee of local elected officials and community leaders is leading the initiative, with support from Building the Wyoming We Want. Cindy Witt, of Wheatland, and Julie Kilty, of Torrington, are the co-chairs of the steering committee. Please visit http://www.buildingwyoming.org/highplains/ for more information on the High Plains Initiative.
CONTACT:
Julie Kilty, Co-Chair of the High Plains Initiative Steering Committee
Phone: 307-575-0928 E-mail: barx@actcom.net
Cindy Witt, Co-Chair of the High Plains Initiative Steering Committee
Phone: 307-331-1123 E-mail: cindywitt6@hotmail.com
Mary Hogarty, BW3 Project Coordinator
Phone: 307-286-2622 E-mail: mary@buildingwyoming.org
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