With news of Baxter County experiencing a population decline, community leaders are looking to address the situation. The Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Dr. Mark Peterson of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Research and Extension Service to form “Baxter County Forward,” in which public input is being sought with Friday as the deadline.
Dr. Peterson coordinates a program titled “Breakthrough Solutions” working with communities, counties and regions across the state in becoming vibrant in a 21st-century economy. He says the beginning stages of “Baxter County Forward” came when he met Chamber President and CEO Jeff Pipkin at a conference in Russellville, and they talked about the gradual decline of the county’s population.
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The purpose of “Baxter County Forward” is to assess the entire community and develop a series of goals and action steps to address major forces and trends impacting the area. Peterson says a survey is being conducted for Baxter County residents to complete online to indicate what they want to preserve, change or improve on the local level.
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Once the survey is completed and the results are viewed, Peterson says he and others will move forward by identifying priorities. He says the survey is valuable in giving strategic direction.
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Peterson says he and his organization have worked with other cities on similar issues. Manila was one of his most notable success stories after dealing with the issue of downtown vacant storefronts.
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The online survey can be accessed by clicking here. It’s optional to leave contact information, but those who do will be entered in a drawing for a $50 gift card from Integrity First Bank. The survey must be completed by Friday. For more information, contact the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce at 870-425-5111 or info@enjoymountainhome.com.
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