Lorain County strategic plan takes another step forward

The framework for Lorain County's strategic plan is complete; now it is up to residents and organizations to prioritize it. Lorain County Special Projects Coordinator David Greenspan and Future iQ CEO David Beurle presented the final action plan at Lorain County Community College on Monday morning. U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, R-Bowling Green, spoke briefly ahead of Greenspan and Beurle presenting the final plan. Latta, whose district stretches from Lorain County to the Indiana border, said 30 years ago economic competition was only between neighboring towns or states, but local companies are now competing globally. "That's why it's so important to be here and have this vision and where you want to go," Latta said. He said no matter where he goes in his district — from manufacturing companies to hospitals — the complaint he hears most is the lack of qualified workers. Lorain County's strategic plan takes that into account by pairing LCCC with local businesses to forecast the needs of a future workforce. He said the other thing he hears is a need for more energy. "There's a lot of challenges out there, but that's why it's so great to see so many people here and the work you've done," he said. After months of workshops throughout the county, the group identified six pillars and objectives for Lorain County to focus on through 2035. Those pillars are: promoting the availability of county resources; fostering a strong local workforce and education system; facilitating creative solutions to transportation, housing and infrastructure needs; facilitating greater countywide collaboration; supporting innovative industry and economic development; and maintaining and enhancing the county's natural resources. The final plan was based on responses from nearly 2,000 people answering what future they expect, and what future they hope for for their county — and what challenges they see to getting there. Beurle noted respondents did not want a "status quo" future for Lorain County; they wanted an area ready for new industries. To get to that preferred future, Beurle's plan proposed creating an inclusive county communication plan, with officials hosting regular meetings throughout the county and exploring the potential for satellite offices in the southern portion of the county; or offering items online. It also stated a need for pairing employers' needs with Lorain County Community College; and revitalizing legacy downtowns to attract further economic development. Looking at pillar 5, creating solutions to housing, transportation and infrastructure, Beurle admitted, "it's got expensive written all over it." But filling those needs will call for creative solutions and collaborations, he said. Similarly, Lorain County will need to balance growing its infrastructure and industry with maintaining greenspaces, water resources and climate mitigation through long-term countywide plans. No part of the strategic plan will be done overnight, he said. And the report presented Monday was just another step in the now seven-month process. The next step is to prioritize each pillar, objective and action needed to put the plan in action. The first of those meetings is 10 a.m. to noon April 15 at Lorain County Community College. Those sessions are expected to run through mid-June. For more information on Lorain County's strategic plan, or to register for an upcoming workshop, visit https://lab2.future-iq.com/lorain-county-strategic-action-plan-project. Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@chroniclet.com.